I’ve just seen the Canadian Opera Company’s new Nabucco, a production of Giuseppe Verdi’s 1842 work from Lyric Opera of Chicago greeted by a rapturous audience at Four Seasons Centre this afternoon.

I never thought that Nabucco could feel so timely. We were watching a Biblical story that resonates strongly for me with what I see on the news reports about the war in the Middle East every day:

War at the intersection of faith groups.
People being held hostage
Questions of loyalty within familial relationships.
Accusations of betrayal
Threats of violence and death
Fear of genocide,
People living in exile searching for freedom.

Did I miss anything?

Directed by Katherine M. Carter with sets designed by Michael Yeargan and costumes designed by Jane Greenwood, we’re happily looking at a presentation that’s recognizable rather than displaced into another era, such as we sometimes get in director’s theatre. The Israelites look exactly like what you’d expect them to look like.

Maybe the Babylonian costumes seemed a bit like sci-fi but nobody’s weaponry or body language wrecked the illusion.

The COC chorus carry a huge load in this opera, both musically and dramatically. Given that the other fall opera is Gounod’s Faust, another work full of great choruses, I think that the COC planners remembered their chief assets: a superb chorus and orchestra. Conductor Paolo Carignani led a vibrant and energetic reading, often encouraging his chorus and soloists to sing more softly so that they build to powerful climaxes at the end of their numbers. As expected, the Third Act chorus “Va! pensiero” was one of the highlights.

Earlier in that Third Act the set design by Michael Yeargan helps us see the power struggle play out between Abigaille (Mary Elizabeth Williams) and Nabucco (Roland Wood), as they each climb upwards towards the throne.

Those two singers were my two favourites, even if their rivalry is only in the story, and not a battle for our attention or applause. Roland Wood in the title role is a COC regular, employing a lovely bel canto timbre and superb dramatically. Mary Elizabeth Williams is a brilliant newcomer as Abigaille, whose voice was more than up to the challenges of this daunting role, sometimes dark at the bottom of her range, sometimes agile in her coloratura and possessed of some powerful high notes when she chose to use them. Her last scene was very effective, poignant and yes, brought me to tears.

I thought at times she was being prudent, holding back likely because she sang less than two days ago and needs to conserve her voice for a run that will have her back for five more performances. I’m looking forward to hearing and seeing her again, the most exciting voice I’ve heard in a long time.

Two former COC Ensemble Studio singers gave us standout performances. Rihab Chaieb as Fenena and Matthew Cairns as Ismaele sounded and looked terrific. Simon Lim as Zaccaria was superb vocally, with a big powerful voice.

Nabucco continues at the Four Seasons Centre with five more shows October 12, 17, 19, 23 & 25.