After the spectacular success of the Sofia Opera with Wagner's "Die Walküre" in Skopje in May, the National Opera and Ballet of North Macedonia will be guest in Sofia on 13 September.

The production is the work of an Italian team – director Renato Bonajuto and stage designer Flavio Arbetti. In the main roles we will see Marian Jovanoski /Nabucco/, Zlata Toshevska /Abigaille/, Nikolina Janevska /Fenena/, Zoran Sotirov /Ismaele/, Igor Durlovski /Zaccaria/. The conductor is Bisera Chadlovska and the stage adaptation of the Sofia Opera was made by Dejan Proshev.

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"Nabucco" was Giuseppe Verdi's third opera and the first with which he firmly established his presence on the Italian opera stage. The work was first performed at Teatro alla Scala di Milano on 9 March 1842 and was a huge success. "So, he's a real genius!" the musicians exclaimed, and Milan was literally exploding with excitement.

"The city did not sleep that night, and the next day the new masterpiece was the main topic of all conversations. Verdi's name was on every lips, even modeller and cooks used it, making 'Alla Verdi' hats, 'Alla Verdi' scarves and 'Alla Verdi' sauces.

The biblical legend of the sufferings of the enslaved Jews and their struggle for liberation from Babylonian oppression was perceived by the listeners as an analogy of the aspirations of the Italian people for national independence. It is no coincidence that "The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves" (Act III) was the greatest success with the audience, and in subsequent performances the melody was sung by the whole hall and became the anthem of the Italian national liberation movement, the Risorgimento.

"This is the opera that really started my artistic career. And although I had many difficulties to contend with, it is certain that "Nabucco" was born under a lucky star," said Giuseppe Verdi.

We look forward to seeing you at the Sofia Opera on 13 September to share the music of Giuseppe Verdi!

https://www.operasofia.bg/repertoire/790