Nabucco: Metropolitan Opera (Levine) [DVD] [2005]

The opening set is impressive in scale, inside Solomons temple with multi layered terraces, the activity of the chorus is on a par with the set.
Samuel Ramey as Zaccara is past his best, but still pretty good. Gwyn Hughes Jones as Ismael is however a real treat to listen to, a beautifully clear voiced tenor. Wendy White is only a pace behind with her excellent mezzo. When Maria Guleghina as Abigail starts her first aria, you realise she is a real showstopper. The trio Lo t'amava is a piece of real quality.
At the end of the act Juan Pons as Nabucco arrives in a chariot, he cuts an impressive figure, with his usual impressive voice. The ensuing mix of chorus and soloists is surely one of operas magic moments. The burning of the temple is quite a surprise and excitingly staged.
In act two back in Babylon the set is also expansive, Abigail reveals her prejudices and ambitions with her impressive voice. She is joined by Stephen Morschich, high priest of Baal, who does not have a lot to do but he does do it well. Pons comes into his own later in the act, he is very good in character, and has a magnificent voice.
Act three sees the return of Morschich, who confirms his earlier promise. The duets between Pons and Guleghina are most enjoyable.
Scene two is the Hebrew chorus , it is everything one could wish for, and does have a little suprise at the end.
In act four scene 1 Pons gives a moving performance in his re-awakening as a convert to the Hebrew faith.
Scene two, after the funeral march Wendy White is superb in her farewell to life as she awaits execution.
In the nick of time Nabucco comes to the rescue, frees the Hebrews, abd reveals the fate of Abigail. In true operatic fashion Abigail has a dying aria, beautifully done by Guleghina, in which she confesses how bad she has been, and asks forgiveness.
Thoroughly recommended, good picture, clear sound and a comprehensive booklet, all that you could want.

Having wasted money on a useless DVD of this opera, I then bought this version which had all the information I needed. There were sub-titles so I was able to understand what was happening and what the characters were singing. A very enjoyable experience, excellently sung and produced.

EXCELLENT CLASSICAL PRODUCTION OF THIS OPERA FROM THE MET. MUCH BETTER THAN THESE MODERN PRODUCTIONS. WELL CAST AND BRILLANTLY CONDUCTED BY JAMES LEVINE AS ALWAYS. WELL WORTH IT FOR THE PRICE TO. BOOKLETS ARE ALWAYS EXCELLENT TO.