On October 20, 2024, Verdi’s Nabucco stormed into the Staatsoper Berlin, just weeks after the triumphant run of Turandot. Verdi’s early masterpiece took the stage with intensity and grandeur, leaving a lasting impression on the Berlin audience. But this time, the true star of the evening was undoubtedly Anastasia Bartoli in the role of Abigaille.
Anastasia Bartoli delivered an extraordinary performance, showcasing a powerful voice capable of both sheer force and impressive agility. Her vocal range and technical precision were stunning, especially in the challenging coloratura passages that define Abigaille‘s character. The crowd responded with a triumphant ovation, and it was well deserved. Bartoli is clearly poised to become one of opera’s next great stars, a voice that demands attention. After witnessing her brilliance, I’m eager to see her tackle more dramatic roles, like Elisabetta in Don Carlo. Her presence on stage is undeniable, though I would love to see her in less heavy makeup and a more iconic costume—she has the potential to be extraordinary in such roles.
Luca Salsi, making a rare appearance outside of his home base at La Scala, brought a grounded, effortless charisma to the title role of Nabucco. Known for his deep connection to Verdi’s repertoire, Salsi lived up to his reputation, delivering a noble and assured performance. His portrayal was steeped in authenticity and experience, and he navigated the character’s evolution from tyrant to humbled believer with admirable nuance.
While Ismaele is a smaller role, Ivan Magrì’s performance was solid and consistently enjoyable. His refined tenor, always in great form, was a delight to hear, even if the part didn’t offer as much spotlight.
The production itself was nothing short of elegant. The staging was refined and visually compelling, without falling into excess. It managed to hold attention throughout, aided by Bertrand de Billy’s taut and precise musical direction. De Billy brought a sharp clarity to the score, pushing the tempo slightly faster than usual in the overture, which gave the evening a heightened sense of energy right from the start. His control over the orchestra and the ensemble was impeccable, resulting in a well-paced and musically vibrant performance.
One cannot forget the monumental performance of Zaccaria by Mika Kares, whose deep, resonant bass added gravitas to his role as the Hebrew prophet. His presence was commanding, and his arias resonated with a sense of spiritual authority, providing a perfect contrast to the stormy forces surrounding him.
In sum, this production of Nabucco at the Staatsoper Berlin was one of the finest I have seen. Between Bartoli’s breakout performance and the consistently high level of artistry from the rest of the cast, it was a truly remarkable evening. I look forward to seeing more of this cast and production team in the future.
CAST :
Musical Director: Bertrand de Billy
Nabucco: Luca Salsi
Ismaele: Ivan Magrì
Abigaille: Anastasia Bartoli
Fenena: Marina Prudenskaya
Zaccaria: Mika Kares
Anna: Sonja Herranen
Abdallo: Andrés Moreno García
