Nabucco Overture

Nabucco, by Giuseppe Verdi, was composed in 1841 and received its premiere at La Scala in Milan, Italy on March 9, 1842. It is considered the opera which cemented Verdi's reputation as a composer, and after which he famously commented that "this is the opera with which my artistic career really begins. And though I had many difficulties to fight against, it is certain that Nabucco was born under a lucky star." The libretto is based on biblical stories from the books of Jeremiah and Daniel, following the plight of the Jews as they are assaulted, conquered, and subsequently exiled from their homeland by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II (Nabucco).