Nabucco - Va, pensiero (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves)

Giuseppe Verdi (9 or 10 October 1813 – 27 January 1901) was an Italian Romantic composer primarily known for his operas. He is considered, together with Richard Wagner, the preeminent opera composer of the nineteenth century.Verdi dominated the Italian opera scene after the eras of Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini. His works are frequently performed in opera houses throughout the world and, transcending the boundaries of the genre, some of his themes have long since taken root in popular culture, as "La donna e mobile" from Rigoletto, "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" (The Drinking Song) from La traviata, "Va, pensiero" (The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco, the "Coro di zingari" (Anvil Chorus) from Il trovatore and the "Grand March" from Aida. [source from Wikipedia]

This work comes from the opera, Nabucco, of the Italian composer Verdi. It describes the story of the Jews being defeated, exiled from their homeland, and captured to Babylon by the Babylonian King Nabucco. This music is sung in the third act while the Jews wish to return home and the High Priest encourages them to believe in God again and predicts that God will destroy Babylon.