Edited by Anna Popper
Congratulations to Mrs. Teodóra Bán, Director of the Margaret Island Open-Air Theatre, for producing and directing a remarkable new performance of Verdi’s Nabucco, which premiered on 24 July 2025 on the magnificent open-air stage in the heart of Margaret Island, Budapest.
Once again, she created an unforgettable experience, bringing Verdi’s powerful masterpiece to life for today’s audiences. Among the rich offerings of the Margaret Island Theatre’s Summer Festival, Nabucco stood out in every artistic dimension – musically, visually, and emotionally.
A Grand Open-Air Spectacle on Margaret Island
This staging remained true to the classical spirit of the original opera, preserving its historical grandeur and aesthetic integrity. At a time when many productions tend to modernize or transpose classical works into contemporary settings, it was deeply refreshing and much appreciated to witness such reverence for tradition. The original Italian libretto was accompanied by Hungarian and English surtitles, enabling the audience to engage more profoundly with the opera’s dramatic plot and timeless message.
The result was an aesthetically pleasing and emotional production – one that captivated the senses and touched the soul. The performance was a triumph, warmly received and highly praised by the full-house audience of nearly 3,000, offering an evening of profound artistic and emotional experience.
Thanks to the vast stage and magical outdoor setting of the Margaret Island Open-Air Theatre, the direction was enriched with grand and unforgettable visual elements. More than 100 performers appeared on stage in key scenes, adding scale and dramatic power. Real flames lit the night sky, heightening the intensity of the battle scenes, while Nabucco entered the stage in a breathtaking moment mounted on a live horse – an awe-inspiring gesture that underscored the scale, authenticity, and artistic ambition of the production. These powerful effects, integrated seamlessly into the storytelling, lend Verdi’s opera an extraordinary sense of realism and grandeur.
Verdi’s Masterpiece: Hope, Freedom, and National Awakening
Giuseppe Verdi’s Nabucco is far more than a musical masterpiece – it is a timeless cry for hope, freedom, and love of homeland. Its most iconic passage, the refrain “Va, pensiero” (“Fly, thought, on golden wings…”), resonates across generations and is often referred to as Italy’s “second national anthem.”
The opera tells the dramatic story of the Babylonian King Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar), his downfall, and the plight of the Hebrew people in exile. Themes of power, betrayal, love, and ultimately, redemption and freedom unfold against the backdrop of the Jews’ struggle for liberation from captivity.
Composed in the shadow of deep personal tragedy – after Verdi lost his wife and two young children in 1839 – Nabucco marked a creative and emotional rebirth for the composer. It also reflected the political climate of the time: much of Italy was under Austrian rule, and national unity was still only an aspiration. The plight of the Jews in Babylonian exile mirrored the Italian people’s longing for freedom and self-determination.
Although Verdi did not explicitly identify himself as a political composer early in his career, Nabucco and especially Va, Pensiero soon became a symbol of national awakening. They were taken up by the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian unification and liberation. Even Verdi’s name became a rallying cry: “Viva VERDI” stood for “Viva Vittorio Emanuele Re D’Italia” (“Long live Victor Emmanuel, King of Italy”).
Premiered at La Scala di Milano in 1842, Nabucco launched Verdi’s extraordinary career and established him as one of the greatest opera composers of all time. But beyond its musical brilliance, Nabucco remains a passionate plea for liberty – born from sorrow, shaped by oppression, and still echoing today with an undying longing for freedom. (The Hungarian premiere took place in January 1847 at the National Theatre in Pest.)
An Unforgettable Performance by an International Cast
The Margaret Island Open-Air Theatre’s performance featured an outstanding international cast, whose captivating voices and theatrical presence breathed vibrant life into the roles:
Nabucco, King of Babylon: Mihály Kálmándy
Ismaele, nephew of the King of Jerusalem: Riccardo Gatto
Zaccaria, High Priest of the Hebrews: András Palerdi
Abigaille, a slave, Nabucco’s elder daughter: Csilla Boross
Fenena, Nabucco’s daughter: Elmina Hasan
High Priest of Baal: Boldizsár Zajkás
Anna, Zaccaria’s sister: Zsuzsanna Kapi
Abdallo, officer of the King of Babylon: Gergely Ujvári
The musical excellence was ensured by the Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra Debrecen, under the sensitive and dynamic baton of Conductor Maestro István Dénes, and the Kodály Choir Debrecen, prepared by Chorus Master Zoltán Kocsis-Holper – both ensembles delivered performances of remarkable depth and nuance.
The evocative set design by Nóra Árva provided an atmospheric backdrop that perfectly complemented the epic scale and emotional charge of the production.
At the helm was Teodóra Bán, both Producer and Director – a cultural leader with a distinguished artistic career. Her vision, deep respect for the operatic tradition, and meticulous attention to detail culminated in a soul-stirring theatrical experience on this magical summer night.
A Moving Finale
The evening concluded with an encore of Va, Pensiero – a moment of collective emotion that united the audience in reflection and admiration. During the reprise, the conductor turned to the audience and, with a heartfelt gesture, invited them to sing along with the chorus. This spontaneous, shared performance of the beloved aria created a truly unforgettable atmosphere – deeply moving and filled with unity and resonance.
I was present at this extraordinary performance, and the memory will stay with me forever.
Margaret Island Theatre
The Margaret Island Open-Air Theatre is Hungary’s most exclusive open-air summer venue, located in the heart of Budapest on the picturesque Margaret Island, surrounded by the Danube River and set amidst breathtaking natural beauty.
Built in 1938 next to the iconic Water Tower – which also serves as an exhibition space – the theatre can accommodate almost 3,000 guests. It is not only a cultural gem of Budapest, but also a tourist attraction. With its own port, it serves as the main venue for Budapest’s largest summer cultural festival. The theatre places great emphasis on high-quality entertainment, offering a rich and diverse program that balances artistic excellence with broad audience appeal.
The Opera’s second performance on 26 July 2025, provided another opportunity to experience this monumental work – especially meaningful in the summer, when most permanent theatres in Budapest are closed.
Source: Margaret Island Theatre
Photos by Mihály Samu Gálos and DPA
