Va, Pensiero (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves), from Nabucco (violin duo)

Title: Va, Pensiero (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves), from the opera Nabucco

Composer: Giuseppe Verdi, arr. David Gable

Instrumentation: Two Violins

Printout: 4 pages

Note: As Verdi’s funeral cortege passed through the streets of Milan, the throngs of mourners lining the streets spontaneously broke into singing Va, Pensiero. Also known as the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, this exquisite chorus depicts the Hebrews lamenting the loss of their homeland during the Babylonian exile. It’s surprising, actually, how well some of Verdi’s opera music works for string duo. This setting of Va Pensiero for two violins sounds like it was conceived as a duet.

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More Verdi for two violins:

Anvil Chorus, from Il Trovatore
Grand March, from Aida
La donna è mobile, from Rigoletto
Soldier’s Chorus (Part I – “Or co’ dadi), from Il Trovatore
Un di felice, eterea, from La Traviata
Valse, from La Traviata