In 1901, when Giuseppe Verdi’s coffin was transferred to its interim resting-place, the 250.000 mourners burst into a song. Now, guess which one? Of course: “Va, pensiero, sull’ ali dorate”. After all, Nabucco means “Va pensiero”, “Va pensiero” means Verdi, and Verdi means Italy. The liberal republican Verdi became a patriotic figurehead and was hailed by many Italians the maestro della rivoluzione and the spiritual father of the longed for renaissance. No wonder the Teatro Municipale di Piacenza chose one of Verdi’s masterpieces to celebrate their Bicentenary. Italian Ambrogio Maestri leads a superb cast in the title role as Nabucco. The highly acclaimed Verdi-singer is considered to be one of the finest baritones of his generation. Andrea Gruber, praised by The Financial Times for her “marvellous freedom and generosity of tone” set a course as his counter part, the Georgian bass Paata Burchuladze portrays a very impressive Zaccharia.