FESTIVAL OPENING

The themes of Nabucco remain highly relevant today: political uprisings over religious issues, attempts at coercion, and family conflicts. Verdi’s opera thus sets the tone for the 2026 season from the very beginning. The striking musical staging of Temistocle Solera’s libretto earned the composer his long-awaited breakthrough in 1842. The plot is based on the biblical story of the Babylonian captivity of the Israelites, in which Verdi portrays their longing for their homeland and their struggle for freedom and faith. Thanks to its emotional depth and powerful choral sections, Nabucco is undoubtedly one of the most popular and frequently performed operas worldwide. The famous prisoners’ chorus »Va, pensiero« even ranks as the unofficial Italian national anthem.

The talented soloists of the Mannheim National Theatre bring this stirring opera to life in concert form, accompanied by the choir, additional choir, and orchestra, conducted by opera star Luca Salsi, who delighted audiences in 2025 at the Arena di Verona as Nabucco alongside the renowned Anna Netrebko.

This performance is part of the Festival-Subscription I.