Nabucco Conflict

CONTEXT: Taking place during a war between the Hebrews and Babylonians, the opera begins with the Hebrews’ success in capturing key figures within the Babylonian kingdom. Toward the climax of the plot, the cast moves to the Hanging Gardens, a member of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Due to the mention of both Nebuchadnezzar and the Hanging Gardens, it can be assumed that the opera takes place in 602 BC onwards. Nabucco not only sets itself up to be a political story, but a romantic one as well.

CONFLICT: Conflict began long before the events of Nabucco. The Babylonians assaulted and exiled the Hebrews, leading to a war between Jerusalem and Babylon. Tension rises further when Fenena is captured by the Hebrews and admits her love to Ismaele, nephew of the king of Jerusalem, of whom her eldest sister Abigaille is in love with too. In addition to this, Abigaille discovers she is the bastard child of Nabucco and a slave woman and proceeds to crown herself ruler following Fenena’s release of Hebrew prisoners of war. However, this is all resolved in the climax of the plot, in which both Nabucco and Abigaille admit to their faults.

This is before Fenena, Zaccaria, and other Hebrews are about to be executed. Shortly after admitting her cruelty, Abigaille kills herself, for she is wrecked with guilt.

CONCLUSION: Nabucco converts to Judaism. The Babylonians and Hebrews find peace in spite of their differences, and the latter are freed with the war put to an end. The kingdoms work to build a holy land fit for Jehovah. The story ends on a happy note, allowing Babylon and Jerusalem to cease their fighting. Although Nabucco’s change of heart is rather sudden, it works well within the opera regardless. The conclusion isn’t terribly believable, but it’s