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© Wiener Staatsoper
Nabucco with Anna Netrebko
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February 2026  | ||||||
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Nabucco – Giuseppe Verdi | Opera
Lyric drama in four acts
Libretto by Temistocle Solera
Act 1 & 2 – approx. 70 minutes
Intermission – approx. 25 minutes
Act 3 & 4 – approx. 50 minutes
Storyline
Act 1
War is raging between Assyria and Israel. Nabucco, king of the Assyrians, has occupied Jerusalem, and the last survivors of the Israelites - Levites and temple people - have fled to the sanctuary of the temple.
The prophet Zaccaria takes a hostage: Fenena, the daughter of Nabucco, who once helped the Jew Ismaele to escape from Babylon; Fenena's sister Abigaille held him captive out of jealousy. Ismaele wants to help Fenena escape, but they are both surprised by Abigaille. She blackmails Ismaele: Only his love for her could still save the Jews. Ismaele decides in favor of Fenena. When Nabucco breaks into the temple, Zaccaria wants to kill his hostage, but Ismaele falls into his arms and saves Fenena. His people curse him. All the Hebrews go into captivity.
Act 2
Ismaele lives in freedom, cursed. Nabucco has given Fenena the crown for the time of his absence.
The high priest of the Babylonians sends Abigaille a secret document stating the reasons for her discrimination: she is the daughter of a slave. Abigaille can therefore be blackmailed and used for the high priest's claims to power. He offers her the crown; the priesthood has already spread the rumor of Nabucco's death.
In order to break Ismaele's spell, Fenena has freed the Jews, but they remain merciless. By converting to the Jewish faith, Fenena is guilty of high treason - according to the high priest's plan. Both sisters are now rivals for power, but the decisive battle is waged in the background by Zaccaria and the high priest. The returned Nabucco sees himself betrayed on all sides and curses both the Babylonian and the Jewish faith. As a new authority, he equates himself with a god - whose first victim is to be Fenena. This arrogance and the abuse of his power cause Nabucco to collapse.
Act 3
Abigaille can now enjoy the glory of a queen: All the Hebrews are back in captivity - including the beloved Ishmaele.
The high priest demands the destruction of all. Nabucco, clairvoyant through madness, sees through Abigaille's intentions. Father and daughter now blackmail each other: he calls her a slave, she provokes him with his weakness as king. Nabucco is not yet ready to understand the fate of an entire people, he only asks for mercy for Fenena. In vain. After signing the death warrant, he himself becomes a prisoner. The Jews await death in the dungeon. In a bloody vision, Zaccaria prophesies doom and destruction for all of Israel's enemies.
Act 4
Nabucco is scarred by the terrible events.
He mourns his whole life, the life of a murderer of nations and daughters. Suddenly the doors of the dungeon are open. Nabucco and his soldiers are able to prevent the execution of the Jews and free Fenena. He is too late for Abigaille. She has put an end to her life. The king of the Assyrians gives everyone their freedom. There could be peace between Assyria and Israel...
Program and cast
Nabucco - Amartuvshin Enkhbat
Ismaele - Ivan Magrì
Zaccaria - Alexander Vinogradov
Abigaille - Anna Netrebko
Fenena - Monika Bohinec
Musical Direction - Marco Armiliato
Direction - Günter Krämer
Set Design - Petra Buchholz, Manfred Voss
Costumes - Falk Bauer
Lighting - Manfred Voss
Vienna State Opera
Public Transport
Subway lines: U1, U2, U4
Trams: 1, 2, D, J, 62, 65
Buses: 59A
Local Railway: Badner Bahn
Stops: Karlsplatz / Opera
Taxi stands are available nearby.
Parking
Parking is only € 6, - for eight hours!
The Wiener Staatsoper and the ÖPARK Kärntner Ring Garage on Mahlerstraße 8, under the “Ringstraßengalerien”, offer the patrons of the Vienna State Opera a new, reduced parking fee. You can park in the Kärntner Ring Garage for up to 8 hours and pay only a flat fee of € 6, -. Just validate your ticket at one of the discount machines inside the Wiener Staatsoper. The normal rate will be charged for parking time greater than 8 hours. The validation machines can be found at the following coat checks: Operngasse, Herbert von Karajan-Platz, and the right and left and balcony galleries.
Important: In order to get the discount, please draw a ticket and do not use your credit card when entering the garage!
After devaluing your ticket in the Wiener Staatsoper you can pay comfortably by credit card or cash at the vending machines.
The machines accept coins and bills up to 50.- Euro. Parking time longer than 8 hours will be charged at the normal rate.
History
The structure of the opera house was planned by the Viennese architect August Sicard von Sicardsburg, while the inside was designed by interior decorator Eduard van der Nüll. It was also impacted by other major artists such as Moritz von Schwind, who painted the frescoes in the foyer, and the famous "Zauberflöten" (“Magic Flute”) series of frescoes on the veranda. Neither of the architects survived to see the opening of ‘their’ opera house: the sensitive van der Nüll committed suicide, and his friend Sicardsburg died of a stroke soon afterwards.
On May 25, 1869, the opera house solemnly opened with Mozart's Don Giovanni in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth.
The popularity of the building grew under the artistic influence of the first directors: Franz von Dingelstedt, Johann Herbeck, Franz Jauner, and Wilhelm Jahn. The Vienna opera experienced its first high point under the direction of Gustav Mahler. He completely transformed the outdated performance system, increased the precision and timing of the performances, and also utilized the experience of other noteworthy artists, such as Alfred Roller, for the formation of new stage aesthetics.
The years 1938 to 1945 were a dark chapter in the history of the opera house. Under the Nazis, many members of the house were driven out, pursued, and killed, and many works were not allowed to be played.
On March 12, 1945, the opera house was devastated during a bombing, but on May 1, 1945, the “State Opera in the Volksoper” opened with a performance of Mozart's THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO. On October 6, 1945, the hastily restored “Theaters an der Wien” reopened with Beethoven's FIDELIO. For the next ten years the Vienna State Opera operated in two venues while the true headquarters was being rebuilt at a great expense.
The Secretary of State for Public Works, Julius Raab, announced on May 24, 1945, that reconstruction of the Vienna State Opera would begin immediately. Only the main facade, the grand staircase, and the Schwind Foyer had been spared from the bombs. On November 5, 1955, the Vienna State Opera reopened with a new auditorium and modernized technology. Under the direction of Karl Böhm, Beethoven’s FIDELIO was brilliantly performed, and the opening ceremonies were broadcast by Austrian television. The whole world understood that life was beginning again for this country that had just regained its independence.
Today, the Vienna State Opera is considered one of the most important opera houses in the world; in particular, it is the house with the largest repertoire. It has been under the direction of Dominique Meyer since September 1, 2010.
© Wiener Staatsoper
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