“Ever an instrument of malleable but unbreakable bronze, his voice is now polished to a bright, shining surface that rests upon a column of powerful, ably-projected tone. As Nabucco in this performance, he was a figure whose ferocity was as piercing as his madness was touching. A man with an imposing physique, Mr. Hawkins bestrode the stage with the savagery of a monarch whose neuroses were unleashed by absolute authority….(…)…, it would be a fool’s errand to seek a more potent Nabucco than Mr. Hawkins’s.“

Voix des Arts – October, 2014

Last appearances:

October 18, 2014 - 08:00 PM:
Belk Theater, Opera Carolina
Charlotte, NC 28202

Current reviews:
PERFORMANCE REVIEW: Giuseppe Verdi – NABUCCO (G. Hawkins, B. Harris, A. Gangestad, B. Arreola, O. Rafało) (Voix des Arts)
Opera Carolina’s New Nabucco Is Stirring, Static, and Provocative (CVNC)

Also on October 23, 26

Role: Nabucco

The Hebrew people are at war with the Babylonians. The Babylonian attack on Jerusalem is approaching. To save the city from destruction, Fenena, the daughter of the Babylonian king Nabucco, is hold as hostage. Fenena escaped to Jerusalem after releasing her beloved Ismaele, nephew of the king of Jerusalem, from the Babylonian captivity. Fenena is the sister of Abigaille. Abigaille demands the crown and Ismaele. Nabucco proclaims himself divine and orders the people to worship him. Abigaille has secured power and the imprisoned Hebrews plot revenge on the Babylonians. To whom belongs the world?

Visit the website of Opera Carolina‎

From August 8 to August 22

Role: Nabucco

The Hebrew people are at war with the Babylonians. The Babylonian attack on Jerusalem is approaching. To save the city from destruction, Fenena, the daughter of the Babylonian king Nabucco, is hold as hostage. Fenena escaped to Jerusalem after releasing her beloved Ismaele, nephew of the king of Jerusalem, from the Babylonian captivity. Fenena is the sister of Abigaille. Abigaille demands the crown and Ismaele. Nabucco proclaims himself divine and orders the people to worship him. Abigaille has secured power and the imprisoned Hebrews plot revenge on the Babylonians. To whom belongs the world?

Gordon Hawkins as Nabucco (watch and listen)

Visit the website of Seattle Opera

Interview with baritone Gordon Hawkins in the title role of Nabucco

Luiz Gazzola for Opera Lively – Let’s start by the required acting for this piece. Nabucco is a particularly difficult role in terms of acting range. The king goes from proud and powerful, to mad (one of the few cases of a mad scene for a male, in opera), to humiliated and pleading, to finding his stride again. Please comment on this difficulty (if you agree), and how you plan to go about it…