Lyric Opera Baltimore offers vigorous, passionate 'Nabucco'

"Nabucco," Verdi's third opera, might be unrefined compared with his masterworks. But what it lacks in subtlety and sophistication is made up for in honest storytelling and a score of muscle and dramatic urgency. And Friday night's Lyric Opera Baltimore performance was just that -- not always pretty in terms of singing, direction and design, yet vigorous, passionate and true to its aims.