Recommend Verdi's Nabucco/Va pensiero


I'm slowly getting into classical and I own no operas. Today I heard a piece from Verdi's Nabucco opera (from Egyptian emperor Nabucodonosor), called Va Pensiero that I really liked. Please recommend the versions you like most. I'm especially interested in buying high resolution music online.

Thank you!
Horacio
lewinskih01
Welcome to the wonderful world of classical music and opera. Nabucco is one of Verdi's early operas, and "Va Pensiero" (Hebrews Chorus) is one of it's most beautiful moments; one which is referred to, by many, as another Italian national anthem. As you explore the world of opera you will find that opera lovers are particularly opinionated, but one performance that receives consistent praise is the Decca recording of Lamberto Gardelli conducting the Vienna Opera Orchestra, with Tito Gobbi in the title role. It is really terrific. Another recommendation, particularly if you are intterested in hearing a very different interpretaion is James Levine conducting the Metropolitan Opera. Unfortunately, available only on DVD. And be sure to also check out Verdi's "La Traviata". The London recording with Bonynge conducting, with Pavarotti, and Sutherland is outstanding. Enjoy.
Frogman's suggestions are excellent - another good recording of several different Verdi choruses on the same album is one conducted by Claudio Abbado with the La Scala orchestra and chorus, on the DG label.
Frogman: Sorry I didn't come back to the thread. It's not that I didn't like the recommendations, but rather I couldn't find the albums you recommended online or locally (I'm overseas). I do appreciate the input, though. I might need to have it shipped from the US.

Learsfool: Thanks for your input too. Will look into it.