(Oy!) Be that as it may, having the Atlanta-born Robinson portray an Israelite seer lends new meaning to the much-vaunted Black-Jewish alliance (America’s two most liberal ethnic voting blocs).
Morris Robinson is attention-grabbing as Zaccaria, spiritual leader of the Hebrews - an interesting stage transition as he previously portrayed the Islamic zealot Osmin in LA Opera’s 2017 production of Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio. In addition to stellar scenery, Mattie Ullrich’s glorious costumes help transport us back in time.
In terms of acting and vocalizing, our beloved treasure Plácido remains in fine form and a delight to behold. You can read the whole Megillah in the Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism.
Nabucco, of course, was short not for Nabisco, but for that other shrewd cookie, Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 B.C.), the king of Assyria, who rebuilt Babylon (interestingly, located in present day Iraq - or at least what’s left of it, after 15 years-plus of Yankee decimation). This patriotic opera can be seen as a rallying cry not only for the downtrodden Israelites but for all national liberation struggles from Catalonia to, ironically, today’s Palestinians.Īnd with the title character’s narcissistic, megalomaniacal ascension to power, claiming that he has surpassed even god, Nabucco is reminiscent of the nascent nazi-wannabe currently inhabiting (but not for long!) the White House (who is headed for a downfall similar to Nabucco’s).
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