HEBREW THEME, STELLAR VOICES IN 'NABUCCO'.Byline: Rick Mortensen Staff Writer Although ``Nabucco'' takes place in ancient Babylon, Verdi's score sticks to the soaring, elegant, unabashedly un·a·bashed adj. 1. Not disconcerted or embarrassed; poised. 2. Not concealed or disguised; obvious: unabashed disgust. Italian style he knew best. In large part, that's what makes the opera so powerful - both to Verdi's 19th-century contemporaries, who made him a hero of Italian unification Italian unification (called in Italian the Risorgimento, or "Resurgence") was the political and social process that unified different states of the Italian peninsula into the single nation of Italy. , and to modern audiences, who swoon at his shamelessly beautiful melodies and fall in love with his strong characters. Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Opera's production of Verdi's 1842 hit is a musical and dramatic triumph. The work tells the story of the Hebrews' triumph over invading Babylonians through faith in their God. It features a love story between a Hebrew prince and a Babylonian princess, an egomaniacal king who goes mad and then repents, and a usurping warrior princess The concept of warrior princesses is relatively new in fiction but it became increasingly popular with the feminist movement's successes in female empowerment, gradually pushing the stereotype of a "damsel in distress" to the background. of dubious parentage PARENTAGE. Kindred. Vide 2 Bouv. Inst. n. 1955; Branch; Line. who just wants to be loved. It's big on chorus numbers, and the L.A. Opera Chorus acquits itself well, garnering a midscene encore after its sensitive, stirring rendition of ``Va Pensiero'' on opening night. Greatly adding to the power of L.A. Opera's production are transcendent performances by Arutjun Kotchinian as the priest Zaccaria and Maria Guleghina as the usurper USURPER, government. One who assumes the right of government by force, contrary to and in violation of the constitution of the country. Toull. Dr. Civ. n. 32. Vide Tyranny, Abigaille. Kotchinian's deep, powerful voice is a marvel. From the first bars he sings, it sends shivers throughout the audience. His rich tone and stunning musicality make his prayer aria ``Tu Sul Labbro,'' which is accompanied by a weighty chorus of cellos, the most exquisite moment of the opera. Guleghina's musical and dramatic gifts are first evident in the first act trio ``Lo t'Amava.'' After jealously threatening her sister and the Hebrews, she immediately turns to Ismaele and pleads for his love. Her voice cries out in pain as she pleads. Although she makes frequent and effective use of vocal ornaments and inflections, her supple voice remains in constant control, each note serving the musical phrase. Guleghina plays her spectacular villainy Villainy See also Evil, Wickedness. Vindictiveness (See VENGEANCE.) Violence (See BRUTALITY, CRUELTY.) d’Acunha, Teresa portrait of devilish Spanish servant and kidnapper. [Br. Lit. as a symptom of spectacular insecurity. Her heart-breaking rendition of ``Anch'io Dischiuso un Giorno'' (``I, too, once opened my heart'') showed her character's complexity. Abigaille refuses the king's plea to spare his daughter, but Guleghina played it as a tortured decision in which she almost relents. Lado Ataneli gives her every reason to relent re·lent v. re·lent·ed, re·lent·ing, re·lents v.intr. To become more lenient, compassionate, or forgiving. See Synonyms at yield. v.tr. Obsolete 1. with his touchingly pathetic aria. As King Nabucco, his most convincing moments come after his character is struck mad and feeble. His most powerful aria is his prayer to the Hebrew God from his jail cell, after which he regains his strength and sanity. NABUCCO - Four stars Where: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is one of the halls in the Los Angeles Music Center (which is one of the three largest performing arts centers in the United States). The Music Center's other halls include the Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. , 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. When: 7:30 tonight, Saturday, Wednesday and Sept. 18, 21 and 25; 2 p.m. Sept. 28. Tickets: $30 to $160 weekdays, $35 to $170 weekends. (213) 365-3500 or losangelesopera.com. In a nutshell: Stirring production with transcendent performances. |
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