Verdi’s ‘Nabucco’ to be screened Jan. 20 in CH 3 Learning Center

OPERA CLUB

All are invited to watch Giuseppe Verdi’s “Nabucco” on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 2:30 p.m. in the Learning Center of Clubhouse 3. Based on the biblical story of Nabuchadnezzar in the Book of Daniel, it tells of the enslavement of the Hebrews by Nabucco, the powerful King of Babylon who destroyed Jerusalem in the sixth century B.C.

Act 1 opens when the Babylonians invade Jerusalem and find the Hebrew high priest has captured Fenena, Nabucco’s daughter, who is in love with Ismaele, a Hebrew nobleman. Simultaneously, Abigaille, the adopted daughter of Nabucco, is also strongly drawn to Ismaele and resents her sister Fenena as Nabucco overcomes the city of Jerusalem and destroys its Temple.

In Act 2, Abigaille seizes power over her father Nabucco, who is losing his mind, and declares herself queen, ready to continue his reign of destruction.

Act 3 depicts the enslaved Hebrews bemoaning their lost homeland in the highly memorable chorus “va pensiero.”

Act 4 shows that Nabucco—in Verdi’s telling—regains his reason, grants freedom to the Hebrews and converts to the Hebrew God while Abigaille dies.

The production is in Italian with English subtitles. People are encouraged to wear masks indoors, if desired. No dues or fees are collected. For more information contact Margaret Gillon at 562-370-3844 or margaretgi@yahoo.com.

—Sylvan von Burg