Nabucco: Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves - Giuseppe Verdi

Operafest! An Afternoon at the Opera with the San José Symphonic Choir (SJSC) and Nova Vista Symphony - Music Director, Anthony Quartuccio conducting June 4, 2023 – McAfee Performing Arts Center, Saratoga, California. Giuseppe Verdi – Nabucco: Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves The 4-act opera Nabucco follows the plight of the Jews as they are assaulted, conquered, and, after the loss of the First Temple in Jerusalem, exiled from their homeland by the Babylonian king Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar). These historical events form the background for a romantic and political plot. By far the best-known music from the opera is the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, “Va, pensiero”, which was beloved from its first hearing. When Verdi died, it was sung in the streets by crowds watching his funeral procession, and in recent times it was proposed as the national anthem of Italy. This unforgettable afternoon of breathtaking music and soaring voices showcases some of the most beloved opera choruses ever writte