Main characters

Zacharias: supreme clergyman
Ismael: grandson of the king of Jerusalem, Fenena's sweetheart
Nabucodonosor (Nabucco): king of the reign of Babylon
Abigaille: presumed Nabucco's firstborn Fenena: Nabucco's secondborn

The vicissitude is carried out in the 586 a.C.

ACTI I

In the temple of Salomon in Jerusalem

Hebrews and Levits are assembled in the temple built by Salomon in order to cry on the destiny of the Israelites, defeated from the Babylonian king Nabucco, who's going to enter in the city with his victorious army. The supreme clergyman Zacharias encourages the believers not to abandon the hope as they have in their hands an important hostage: Fenena, Nabucco's daughter. Fenena is entrusted the watch of Ismael, grandson Sedecia, king of Jerusalem. Ismael is in love with Fenena because she had freed him with great risk when he was captive in Babylon. Now Ismaele would want to give her back the favor. The two are planning to escape together, when Abigaille - who is believed to be Nabucco's firstborn - enters in the temple with the sword in her hand, at the head of a group of Babylonian soldiers disguised as Hebrews. Abigaille discloses softly her love for Ismael and she says she'll grant the freedom to all Hebrews if he loves her. Ismael doesn't give in to blackmail. In the meantime a crowd of Hebrews pursued from Nabucco's soldiers try to find shelter in the temple. The very king appears on the threshold. Zacharias threatens to kill Fenena if Nabucco dares to break into the sacred place. He raises the dagger against Fenena, but Ismael interferes and he saves her. Zacharias condemns Ismael as traitor. Nabucco, embracing his daughter, orders that the temple is to be set on fire.

ACT II

The impious

First scene

In Babylon royal palace

From a secret document of the king, Abigaille discovers not to be Nabucco's firstborn, but a daughter of slaves. She's upset', but continues to plan her revenge on Fenena, to whom Nabucco has entrusted the throne during his absence due to the war against the Hebrews. Abigaille wants someone to kill her rival, to get hold of the throne and to spread the news that Nabucco is dead. In her purposes she's supported from the clergyman of Belo.

Second scene

In an other wing of the royal palace

Zacharias, followed by some disciples goes to Fenena's apartments to try to convert her to the Jewish faith. A Levits' chorus hardly accuses Ismael to have saved Fenena: he's considered a traitor. Zacharias exhorts the Levits to stop insulting Ismael, because he saved from death a converted woman. Abigaille is going to fulfill her plan, when Nabucco returns unexpected. He seizes the crown and declares himself the only king and only God before the people, who has to adore him for the eternity. To these blasphemous words a lightning falls down close to the terror-struck king and a supernatural power removes the crown from his head. A long silence follows the confusion caused by the mysterious event. Abigaille takes advantage of this event, collects the crown from the ground and states that the splendor of the people of Belo will never fade away.

ACT III

The profecy

First scene

The roof gardens of Babylon. Abigaille is sitting on the throne. Abigaille, who proclaimed herself queen is sitting on the throne waiting to receive the regards of the noblemen of the reign at the presence of the supreme clergyman. Without warning Nabucco comes in with shabby clothes on looking confused. Abigaille teases him making to sign a death punishment act for all the Hebrew prisoners, including the converted Fenena. Nabucco realized too late of the trap, protests and orders Abigaille to prostrate in front of him, threatening her to reveal the circumstances of her birth. He tries to find the document that proves it, but Abigaille exhibits it and immediately tears it. She hands the old king over to the guards to imprison him. Nabucco, desperate, swears to Abigaille that he will abdicate the throne in her favour if she saves Fenena. Abigaille, with a scornful smile, refuses the offer.

Second scene

On the banks of Euphrates river. The Hebrews, reduced to the forced labours, raise a hymn to the beautiful far native land and pray the God to give them comfort. Zacchrias encourages them prophesing the upcoming redemption.

ACT IV

The shattered idol

First scene

Apartment in the royal palace of Babylon

Nabucco wakes up after a sleep tormented by nightmares. He hears the name of Fenena coming from outside: from the loggia he watches horrified Fenena dragged in chains to the scaffold while all around people shout: "Die!". He tries to break out uselessly since he's captive in the palace. Desperate and impotent, Nabucco implores the God of the Hebrews asking for forgiveness. The doors open and some soldiers remained faithful to the old king enter. He's no more a crazy man and they acknowledge him as the just king they knew. They hail the monarch, unsheathe their swords and they follow him to regain the crown and to set Fenena free.

Second scene

To the roof garden of the royal palace

Fenena has been already lead with the other Hebrews to the scaffold erected on the roof gardens. Belo clergyman is going to begin the ceremony when Nabucco and his loyal soldiers break into the place. He orders that the statue of God has to be destroyed, but before this is reached, it falls down and it breaks up. The Hebrews get free and Nabucco exhorts his people to kneel down in front of the great God of the Hebrews: Jehovah. Abigaille, totally defeated, poisons herself and goes to the place where the massacre must have taken place. Before dying, she asks the forgiveness of her sister, and places the two sweethearts under the protection of Nabucco, so that the king allows their wedding and blesses them. Having said this, she dies calling for the God of the Hebrews.