Nabucco, Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth
HE'S the lord of all he enslaves. Also known as Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty King of Babylon is famous for his hanging gardens and equally infamous for his acts of war and pillage, slaying and carrying off captive Israelites into exile - and for Giuseppe Verdi, in 1842, the inspiration for his first international success.
Today, though, the work is not very often performed, so our thanks to the splendid Moldovan company for this reminder of its dramatic power and enthralling music which includes the poignant Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves.
As Nabucco, the majestic, black-bearded baritone Boris Materinco is at six foot plus, the very ideal of an Old Testament tyrant.
The excellent bass Valeriu Cojacuru is the High Priest, Irakli Grigali the compromised Hebrew Prince Ismaele with whom Nabucco's daughter Fenena, played by Olga Hristea-Stan has fallen in love, while Galina Bernaz rises admirably to the demanding roel of her sister and embittered rival Abigaile. And, final praise for the sacrificial fiery furnaces, which were brilliantly evocative.
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