NABUCCO – VERDI
Presented on May 26, 30, Jun 3, 5 at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin as part of the Dublin Grand Opera Society’s Spring Season
Gian Giacomo Guelfi – Nabucco
Luisa Maragliano – Abigaille
Ferruccio Mazzoli – Zaccaria
Enzo Tei – Ismaele
Anna di Stasio – Fenena
Loris Gambelli – High Priest
Edwin Fitzgibbon – Abdallo
Mary Sheridan – Anna
Napoleone Annovazzi – Conductor
Enrico Frigerio – Producer
Listen to this production here:
As expected the performances of “Nabucco” packed the Gaiety with opera fans eager once again to hear Gian Giacomo Guelfi sing the title role and Luisa Maragliano repeat her fiery Abigaille. ‘Her thrilling voice and dynamic stage-work dominated the opening performance,’ observed Mary MacGoris. ‘Vivid but controlled, she soared where necessary over the orchestra and chorus, but adapted herself perfectly to the demands of concerted pieces.’ All the critics agreed Guelfi’s Nabucco had lost none of its power and dignity and that he made an excellent foil. The audiences were still looking for encores of ‘Va Pensiero’ and the chorus was obliging them, though one acerbic critic felt that on the first night their singing didn’t warrant an encore. Tenor Enzo Tei gave an excellent account of himself as Ismaele in the opera and both Mary Sheridan and Edwin Fitzgibbon did well in other parts.
(Extracted from “Love and Music: The Glorious History of the Dublin Grand Opera Society” by Gus Smith, 1998)
Opera in Ireland 