Once More, With Feeling

Verdi's third opera Nabucco put him on the musical map—and brought him scandal—when performed in 1842 Italy. Based on the biblical story of King Nebuchadnezzar's banishment of the Jews from Babylon in 543 B.C., passionate opera-goers demanded a then-illegal encore. The "Va, pensiero" chorus—when Hebrew slaves cry out for their...

By Danna Berger

October 12, 2006

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Verdi's third opera Nabucco put him on the musical map—and brought him scandal—when performed in 1842 Italy. Based on the biblical story of King Nebuchadnezzar's banishment of the Jews from Babylon in 543 B.C., passionate opera-goers demanded a then-illegal encore. The "Va, pensiero" chorus—when Hebrew slaves cry out for their homeland—still receives an encore when performed. The Dallas Opera opens their 2006 season with Nabucco next month, but you can hear the DCO Chorus perform highlights on Wednesday when Congregation Shearith Israel and Dallas Holocaust Museum present "A Night to Remember: Recollections of a People in Bondage." A panel of local historians and musicologists will lead a rousing audience discussion about politics and sufferings of oppressed people—both then and now. Call Chava Rousch at 214-361-6606, ext. 208 or e-mail at [email protected].
Wed., Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m.

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