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Music survives tinsel and bling
David Kempster who sings the title role NabuccoWelsh National Opera
Birmingham Hippodrome
*** VERDI’S opera takes us into the heart of
the destruction of Jerusalem with a tale very loosely based on the
Biblical story of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. But it couldn’t be an opera without a love
triangle in the middle so we have Israelite Ismaele as the beloved of
both of Nabucco’s daughters – Fenena and Abigaille. With the fall of Jerusalem and the Hebrews taken
into captivity Nabucco believes he has proved he is even more powerful
than the Israelite God Jehovah – but such idolatry cannot go unpunished
and he is reduced in body and mind by a thunderclap from the Heavens. Add to this the scheming of his daughter
Abigaille, who turns out not to be his daughter after all, and Nabucco
is in real trouble. Director Rudolf Frey and designer Ben Baur leave
behind the classical costumes and set the piece in the modern day. The
sets vary between dark and glittering gold but remain minimal in nature
giving plenty of space for the drama to take place.
The modern costumes have a resonance,
particularly with the chaos which is currently enveloping modern day
Babylon, and Nabucco as warrior bears a resemblance to the former Libyan
leader Gaddafi. But it does also muddy the water a bit. The idea
of an all-powerful God who can smite down a king and the terrible
tragedy of the destruction of the Israelite Temple in that nation’s
history don’t quite fit in the modern era. There are also some curious details which I still
haven’t fathomed – such as why the lead characters all first appeared
with tinsel over their eyes and the relevance of lots of bling-coated
one handed gloves waved around by the Babylonian rebels. While the staging is a bit bewildering, the
performances at the heart of the opera are very strong. Mary Elizabeth
Williams is stunning as Abigaille. One moment she is furiously promising
revenge, the next she is giving Ismaele the eye. Then we see her as a
vaudeville queen reaching for the real crown before watching her take
power from her decrepit father without a streak of pity. Finally she is
reduced to a guilt-ridden death-bed. David Kempster manages the fall from grace as
Nabucco with real aplomb. One moment he is banging on the table
insisting the room worship him, the next he is lying prostrate under the
same table clutching his motionless arm. A constant throughout is the Hebrew High Priest
Zaccaria, played by Kevin Short, who urges his people on, promising them
that God will not abandon them for ever. The chorus are in fine voice – not least when
they join in the opera’s famous Va pensiero or Chorus of the Hebrew
Slaves. And the Orchestra of the WNO, conducted by Xian
Zhang ensure Verdi’s fine score is given ample opportunity to shine. Nabucco is performed at Birmingham Hippodrome
again on Saturday June 21 at 6.15pm. Diane Parkes
19-06-14
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