backstory: A timely chorus
The first opera I ever saw was Verdi’s Nabucco at The Lyric in Baltimore, just about 30 years ago. Knowing little of opera at that time, I loved the pageantry of it from the start. And, then, as all of the opera-goers gathered during the intermission to sing Va, pensiero together, I thought, this is a magical and unifying experience.
I saw the Metropolitan Opera’s rendition of the Nabucco just this past weekend. I was disappointed that there was no intermission Va, pensiero but was so taken by the Met’s extraordinary chorus singing this beautiful piece in the third act, not only by the gorgeousness of the music but by the poignancy of watching this particular opera by Verdi’s within the context of current happenings in the Middle East. All breathtaking in different ways.
Tracy Fitzpatrick
Director, Neuberger Museum of Art
Find me on Twitter @tracyfitzart