THE STORY

ACT I. In the Temple of Solomon, the Israelites bewail their fate: Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar), king of Assyria, has attacked and is desecrating the city. Zaccaria, the Israelites’ high priest, enters with his sister, Anna, and Nabucco’s daughter, Fenena, whom the Jews hold hostage. He counsels his people to be steadfast (“Sperate, o figli”). Ismaele, nephew of the king of Jerusalem, enters to say Nabucco is sweeping all before him. Zaccaria hopes for a miracle and turns Fenena over to Ismaele for safekeeping.

When the others leave, it emerges that Ismaele and Fenena are in love, and that Fenena’s jealous sister, Abigaille, also loves Ismaele. Abigaille bursts in, leading a band of Assyrians to occupy the temple. She greets Ismaele with scorn, then privately tells him he can save his people if he returns her love (“Io t'amavo”). Saying he cannot, he offers to forfeit his life for his people. The Hebrew crowd reappears, frightened. As Nabucco enters, Zaccaria denounces his arrogance and threatens to stab Fenena, but Ismaele delivers her to her father. As the Jews revile Ismaele, Nabucco orders the temple looted and burned.

ACT II. Abigaille has found a parchment certifying that she is not Nabucco’s daughter but the child of slaves. Swearing vengeance on Nabucco and his heiress, Fenena, she reflects that her love for Ismaele could have changed her life (“Anch’io dischiuso”). The High Priest of Baal comes to say that Fenena has freed the Hebrew prisoners. As a result of her treason, the religious authorities have decided to offer Abigaille the throne, telling the people that their king has fallen in battle. She rejoices that the daughter of slaves will now rule.

Zaccaria prays that he will be able to persuade the Assyrians to put aside their false idols (“Tu sul labbro”). He goes off to begin by converting Fenena. Two Levites upbraid the outcast Ismaele for betraying his people, but Zaccaria, returning with Fenena and Anna, pardons Ismaele, for he saved a fellow Hebrew — the newly converted Fenena. Abdallo rushes in with reports of the king’s death, warning that Fenena’s life is in danger. Before she can escape, the High Priest of Baal, followed by Abigaille and the Assyrian populace, enters to proclaim Abigaille ruler and condemn the Hebrews to death. When Abigaille demands the royal scepter, Fenena refuses to yield it. To the astonishment of all, Nabucco enters, takes the crown and places it on his own head. Everyone quakes before the irate monarch (“S’appressan gl’istanti”), who announces he is not only king but god. As he tries to force Zaccaria and Fenena to prostrate themselves, lightning strikes him, knocking the crown from his head and rendering him insane. Abigaille retrieves the crown.

ACT III. The Babylonians hail Abigaille as ruler. The High Priest of Baal presses her to put the Israelites to death. The disheveled Nabucco wanders in, and Abigaille dismisses the others and explains to Nabucco that she is serving as regent; she gives him the warrant condemning the Israelites, hoping he will order his own daughter’s death. When she taunts him for lack of resolution, he signs. Nabucco, remembering Fenena, asks what will become of her. She too will die, says Abigaille. When Nabucco searches his garments for the document proving that Abigaille is an impostor, she produces it and tears it to bits. Nabucco, calling in the guards, learns they are no longer his servants but his jailers. Pleading with Abigaille for Fenena’s life, he meets with stony adamancy.

By the Euphrates, the Hebrews are resting from forced labor. Their thoughts ascend “on golden wings” to their lost homeland (“Va, pensiero”). Zaccaria predicts they will overcome captivity and obliterate Babylon with the Lord’s help.

ACT IV. Nabucco awakens from troubled sleep to see Fenena being led past his window to execution. He kneels to the God of the Hebrews (“Dio di Giuda!”), praying for forgiveness and pledging to convert his people. His reason returns, and when Abdallo enters with soldiers, the monarch convinces them that he is himself again. Crying for a sword, he rallies his followers.

Executioners stand ready, as Zaccaria hails Fenena as a martyr, but Nabucco arrives and orders the statue of Baal destroyed. It falls of its own accord. Abigaille takes poison and confesses her crimes, urging that Ismaele and Fenena be reunited; dying, she prays to the God of Israel for pardon. Nabucco tells the Israelites to rebuild their temple (“Torna Israello”), declaring that he now serves Jehovah. The crowd praises God.