"Va, pensiero"
Fly, thoughts
The Hebrew slaves, in exile by the waters of Babylon, think longingly of their homeland and seek strength from the Lord in their tribulations.
Fly, thoughts, on golden wings;
Fly, and rest on the slopes and hills,
where the sweet breezes of our native land
are fragrant, warm and soft!
Greet the banks of the Jordan,
the ruined towers of Zion ...
Oh my homeland, so lovely and so lost!
Oh memories so dear and fateful!
Golden harp of the prophets and seers,
why do you hang silent from the willows?
Rekindle the memories in our hearts,
tell us about the time gone by!
Or as was the fate of Solomon,
draw out the cry of a harsh lament;
or let the Lord inspire a sense of peace
that may give strength to our suffering.
Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi
In the 6th century BCE, Jerusalem is being attacked by Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar), king of Babylon. His daughter, Fenena, who is being held hostage by the Hebrews, is in love with Ismaele, nephew of the King of Jerusalem and a former prisoner of the Babylonians whom she helped escape. Fenena’s half-sister, Abigaille, arrives with a band of soldiers and offers to save Ismaele but he rejects her love. Nabucco enters the temple with his troops. The Hebrew high priest Zaccaria threatens to kill Fenena, who is saved by Ismaele. The temple is destroyed on Nabucco’s orders and the Hebrews are enslaved and taken to Babylon.
Abigaille discovers and steals a document revealing she is not the king’s daughter, but a slave girl. Fenena, acting as regent for her father, has converted to Judaism and frees the Hebrew slaves. The High Priest of Baal sees this as treason and offers the throne to Abigaille, spreading the rumour that Nabucco has died in battle. Abigaille is about to crown herself when Nabucco appears, denouncing her and proclaiming himself not only the king but the god of the Babylonians. He is struck by a thunderbolt for this blasphemy and Abigaille is hailed as ruler.
At the High Priest’s urging, Abigaille plans to kill the Hebrews. She tricks the confused Nabucco into signing the death warrant, which includes Fenena. Nabucco pleads in vain for her. He searches for the document which will expose Abigaille as a usurper; she shows it to him and tears it to pieces. The enslaved Hebrews think longingly of their homeland. Their high priest, Zaccaria, claims they will overcome their ordeal with God’s help.
The Hebrews and Fenena are being taken to their death, watched by the imprisoned Nabucco. In desperation, he asks the god of Israel to forgive him and pledges to convert, along with his people. He escapes, summons his soldiers and prevents the execution. Abigaille poisons herself, finally admitting her crimes and praying to the Hebrew god for forgiveness.
Nabucco frees the Hebrews, allowing them to return home and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. All are united in praising God.