The "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves", (Va Pensiero), from Verdi's opera Nabucco
(1842) attained great political significance. Va Pensiero became the Italians' song of
liberation, for, in the oppressed Hebrews, they found a symbol of their own longing for
reunification with Lombardy, which was occupied by Austria. The unison chorus (one of the
few da capo choruses in all opera) became the underground "national
hymn". And the composer's name became V.E.R.D.I, a slogan meaning Vittorio
Emmanuale Rei de
Mert ez történelem
