BY KAREN BOSSICK

Ancient Babylon will come to life when the Metropolitan Opera presents an opera of biblical proportions on Saturday.

Sun Valley Opera and Broadway will present the live simulcast of Met Opera’s “Nabucco” at 10:55 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Magic Lantern Cinemas in Ketchum

Giuseppe Verdi’s 1841 opera is based on the biblical books of II Kings, Jeremiah, Lamentations and Daniel. It follows the Jewish people as they are conquered and exiled from their homeland by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzer, referred to as Nabucco in the opera.

Verdi always credited the opera for establishing his reputation as a composer.

The opera was first performed by the Metropolitan Opera during its 1960-61 season and has been performed by many other companies, as well, including San Francisco Opera, and London’s Royal Opera House.

Baritone George Gagnidze makes his Met role debut as the imperious king Nabucco, alongside soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska reprising her thrilling turn as his vengeful daughter Abigaille.

Mezzo-soprano Maria Barakova and tenor SeokJong Baek are Fenena and Ismaele, whose love transcends politics, and bass Dmitry Belosselskiy repeats his celebrated portrayal of the high priest Zaccaria.

Daniele Callegari conducts Verdi’s exhilarating early masterpiece, which features the ultimate showcase for the great Met Chorus, the moving “Va, pensiero,” or “The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves” in which the Israelites express their longing for their homeland.

Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the concession counter will be open. The Magic Lantern takes cash only.