MONTE-CARLO OPERA - NABUCCO

First performed on 9 March 1842 at La Scala in Milan, Verdi's third opera was an immediate triumph, effectively launching the composer's career. Nabucco certainly had the ingredients for success: a storyline whose Biblical sources claimed audiences' attention somewhat less than a political dimension (doubtless unintentional on Verdi's part) that made it easy to draw a parallel between the Jewish people reduced to slavery in Babylon and the Milanese suffering under the Austrian yoke, plus melodies that became the chart-toppers of the day, including the famous chorus of the Hebrew slaves, Va, pensiero, that many Italians adopted as virtually a second national anthem. Borne along by its epic spirit and the plot's dramatic twists and turns, the opera demands vocal exploits of its performers, in particular of the soprano who sings Abigaille, among the classical repertoire's most challenging roles. Legend has it that Giuseppina Strepponi, who created the role, sacrificed her voice to it; perhaps her later marriage to Verdi was some consolation! The production performed in Monaco will feature the great baritone Leo Nucci as the King of Babylon.

Sunday 13 November at 3pm – Wednesday 16 November at 8pm (Gala performance) – Saturday 19 November at 8pm (by invitation from the Palace) – Salle des Princes