'Nabucco' livestream planned in Whitefish as part of Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series

Giuseppe Verdi’s biblically inspired opera, “Nabucco,” will be shown Jan. 6 in Whitefish as part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series.

Sung in Italian with subtitles, “Nabucco” is Verdi’s inspired retelling of the Old Testament story of the Israelites' exile at the hands of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar (Nabucco), and his dramatic conversion to Judaism. “Nabucco” is an opera of unapologetically epic proportions: Rulers challenge their gods; love struggles against empire; and religious revelation goes hand in hand with divine retribution. 

In Act I, the story begins in the sixth century B.C. at a Hebrew temple in Jerusalem that is under attack by King Nabucco who is determined to conquer the city and enslave the Israelites. Abigaille, Nabucco’s daughter, arrives just before the approaching army and offers to save the Israelites, but only if Ismaele, nephew of the King of Jerusalem, will return her love. Ismaele refuses, for he is already in love with Abigaille’s sister Fenena, whom he fell in love with during his imprisonment in Babylon and who ultimately helped him escape and followed him to Jerusalem. Abigaille swears vengeance as Nabucco arrives, who orders the Temple of Solomon to be burned to the ground. 

Back in Babylon in Act II, Abigaille discovers she is not Nabucco’s true daughter, but instead the daughter of slaves. Foreseeing a future in which Fenena and Ismaele will rule together over Babylon, she plans to steal the throne from Nabucco and Fenena. The High Priest of Baal, Zaccaria, arrives with news that Fenena, newly converted to Judaism, has freed the Israelite prisoners. As a result of her treason, he offers the throne to Abigaille and proposes to spread the rumor that Nabucco has fallen in battle. An officer warns Fenena that the king is dead and her life is in danger, but before she can escape, Zaccaria arrives with Abigaille and the Babylonians, who proclaim Abigaille as ruler. She is about to crown herself when, to the astonishment of all, Nabucco appears. He snatches the crown from her, faces the crowd and declares himself not only their king but their god. For this blasphemy, a thunderbolt strikes him down. Abigaille, triumphant, retrieves the crown for herself. 

Finally, in Acts III and IV, Nabucco, in a state of half-madness, is tricked by Abigaille into signing the death warrant for the recaptured Israelites, including Fenena who is now a prisoner. As the Israelites dream of their lost homeland, Nabucco prays to the God of Israel for forgiveness and promises to convert the entire Babylonian empire to Judaism. His sanity restored, he summons his soldiers and arrives just in time to stop the execution of Fenena and the Israelites. In the final scene, Abigaille, full of remorse, takes poison and dies, confessing her crimes and praying to the God of Israel to pardon her. Nabucco announces his conversion and frees the Israelites, telling them to return to their native land and rebuild their temple, uniting the Israelites and Babylonians in praise of God. 

Baritone George Gagnidze makes his Met role debut as the imperious king Nabucco, alongside soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska reprising her thrilling turn as his vengeful daughter Abigaille. Mezzo-soprano Maria Barakova and tenor SeokJong Baek, in his company debut, are Fenena and Ismaele, whose love transcends politics. Bass Dmitry Belosselskiy repeats his celebrated portrayal of the high priest Zaccaria. Maestro Daniele Callegari conducts Verdi’s exhilarating early masterpiece, which features the ultimate showcase for the Met chorus, the moving “Va, pensiero.” Two-time Grammy Award–winning soprano, Angel Blue, provides exclusive behind-the-scenes access, conducting interviews with the cast and creative team during intermission. 

The live-streamed opera begins at 10:55 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, and will be shown at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, 127 Spokane Ave. The approximate run time is three hours, including one 30-minute intermission. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, paid by cash or check. Tickets will be sold at the door. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series is presented by Whitefish Theatre Company in collaboration with the Whitefish Arts Council and the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. 

For more information visit www.whitefishtheatreco.org or call 862-5371.