Act I: A distant Myanmar town in the mythical recent past

Senior General Nabucco leads a tatmadaw advance in Myanmar’s sputtering civil war. Rebel militia are cornered and pray for salvation. They hold as hostage Nabucco’s daughter Fenena, who is secretly in love with rebel soldier Ismaele. Their passion was kindled when Fenena helped Ismaele escape from a tatmadaw prison. Fenena’s elder sister, Abigaille, enters the town with tatmadaw soldiers disguised as rebel militia. She is furious when she discovers Ismaele with Fenena, for she too loves him. She presents him with a choice. If he stays true to Fenena, Abigaille will expose her treachery in aiding his prison break. If he abandons Fenena, Abigaille will petition Nabucco on behalf of the rebels. Ismaele spurns her and pledges his life to his people. Nabucco and his men attack the town. The rebels threaten to kill Fenena if he does not withdraw. Ismaele saves Fenena and delivers her to her father. Nabucco orders the destruction of the town, and the rebels denounce Ismaele as a traitor.

Act II: Senior General Nabucco’s villa in Naypyitaw several months later

Fenena rules on Nabucco’s behalf while he wages war against the rebels. In Nabucco’s files, Abigaille has found a document proving she is not in fact his daughter, but rather the offspring of rebels. She reflects bitterly on her fate. A report circulates that Fenena has started to release rebel prisoners. As rumours spread that Nabucco has died in battle, Abigaille plots to take control. That night, Fenena formally joins the rebels, and Ismaele is pardoned for saving her. Reports of Nabucco’s death are confirmed, and Abigaille and Fenena contest the succession. Before the issue is resolved, though, Nabucco abruptly returns and proclaims himself ruler for life. He orders the execution of the rebel prisoners, and erupts in anger when Fenena tells him of her defection. However, a bolt of lightning renders him insane and Abigaille seizes command.

Act III: The statues of the kings, Naypyitaw, a short while later

Abigaille is under pressure to confirm the execution of Fenena and the rebel prisoners. Nabucco enters, still insane, and Abigaille tricks him into signing their death warrants. This triggers a recollection in him, however, and he searches for the document proving Abigaille is not his blood daughter. She tears it to pieces in front of him. Nabucco pleads for Fenena’s life, but Abigaille is unmoved. Engaged in forced labour on a river project, rebel prisoners dream of their homeland.

Act IV: Naypyitaw in the mythical present

Nabucco wakes from a bad dream to see Fenena being taken for execution. Desperate, he prays to the rebels for forgiveness, promising to reconstruct their town. His sanity is instantly restored, and he pledges to rescue Fenena and the rebel prisoners. Before the statues of the kings, executioners stand ready. Nabucco rushes in and orders the destruction of the statues. He frees the rebels and tells them to return home and rebuild their town. Abigaille enters having taken poison, and dies begging Fenena and the rebels for forgiveness. On both sides, people commit to work together for peace and national reconciliation.