Otello by Giuseppe Verdi

Teatro alla Scala, Milan
La Scala Orchestra and Chorus; Riccardo Muti, conductor

Performers: Placido Domingo (Otello); Barbara Frittoli (Desdemona); Leo Francesco Nucci (Iago); Antonello Ceron (Rodrigo); Cesare Catani (Cassio); Rossana Rinaldi (Emilia)

WORLD OF OPERA kicks off a brand new season this week with a new host, NPR's Lisa Simeone, and a truly great opera, straight from the same stage where it was born. It's Verdi's Otello¸ in a production starring tenor Placido Domingo, from the Tears alla Scala in Milan, where the opera had its world premiere in 1887.

Otello was Verdi's next to last opera, and he composed it at a time when he was already in a sort of semi-retirement. Verdi's publisher, and the opera's librettist, Arrigo Boito, had to convince Verdi to begin a new project. They chose the right one. Verdi had admired Shakespeare throughout his career, and apparently found himself unable to pass up the chance to set Shakespeare's Othello to music. Boito's libretto also helped to sell Verdi on the idea; its inventiveness allowed Verdi to strike new ground with the opera's musical pacing and structures.

The story is familiar to many both from Shakespeare's play and Verdi's opera. In the broadcast, we don't spend much time retelling it. So, if only to differentiate the Shakespeare original from the operatic adaptation, here's the plot in just a bit more detail:

Act I. Otello is a Venetian general, returning during a fierce storm to a hero's welcome on the isle of Cyprus. Among his men are an officer named Cassio, and Iago, an ensign. Iago deeply resents Otello's popularity, and he also believes that Cassio was unfairly promoted above him. So even as the opera begins, Iago has been planning to ruin both men. He'll see to it that Cassio is demoted, and he also plans to turn Otello against his young wife, Desdemona. He starts by getting Cassio drunk, and goading him into a fight with Roderigo -- and he has Roderigo's complicity. Roderigo is in love with Desdemona and Iago tells him that if he cooperates, Desdemona and Otello will soon split. The drunken brawl has the desired effect. Iago and Roderigo have prodded Cassio into striking the first blow in the fight. When Otello is told of this, he promptly strips Cassio of his rank.

When Otello's welcome is over, and the fight scene ends, Otello and Desdemona are alone outside the castle. Their duet illuminates the intensity of their love, and they go into the castle as the act ends.

Act II. Iago is with Cassio, who is thinking of ways he might get back into Otello's good graces. Iago, still plotting, tells him that perhaps he should get close to Desdemona. If he can win her over, she might then intervene with Otello on Cassio's behalf. Cassio agrees to this. When he leaves, Iago is left alone to deliver his famous "Credo," which brilliantly demonstrates the evil at the root of his character.

Otello joins Iago, and the two are together for the rest of the act. Iago plants thoughts of jealousy in Otello's mind, so that when Desdemona approaches Otello to speak up for Cassio, Otello immediately questions her motives. This upsets Desdemona, who drops her handkerchief as she leaves in confusion. Emilia, Iago's wife and Desdemona's friend, retrieves the handkerchief and Iago quickly convinces Emilia to hand it over.

When the two women leave, Iago again goes to work on Otello's peace of mind. He hints that she's been awfully close to Cassio lately. Otello is enraged at the thought of Desdemona being unfaithful, and says he won't believe it without proof. Iago says he has heard Cassio talk about Desdemona in his sleep. Then, Iago produces Desdemona's handkerchief, with the implication that he somehow got it through Cassio. Otello is convinced. He swears to avenge his Desdemona's disloyalty, and Iago is all too happy to volunteer his assistance.

Act III. Iago and Otello are together when a fanfare announces the arrival of Venetian ambassadors. Iago offers to give more evidence of Desdemona's supposed treachery. Iago leaves when Desdemona appears. She tries to reassure Otello of her love. Otello reveals the handkerchief that seems to betray her. Desdemona desperately pleads her innocence. Otello's not buying it. He openly accuses her of infidelity and physically forces her from the room.

Iago then approaches, with Cassio. He's already arranged their conversation, as a demonstration for Otello, who hides in the shadows. Iago gets Cassio to describe the actions of Bianca, a courtesan, in a way which makes Otello believe the woman Cassio is discussing is Desdemona. Iago has also given Cassio Desdemona's handkerchief, and makes sure Otello sees it in Cassio's possession.

The Venetian ambassadors are about to make their official appearance, as Iago and Otello agree that Desdemona should be strangled in her own bed. The ambassadors have a letter ordering Otello back to Venice, and leaving Cassio in charge on Cyprus. This doesn't please Otello, who believes Cassio is Desdemona's lover. But Iago says not to worry -- he has plans for Cassio. In fact, he plans to have Roderigo kill Cassio. While he announces the orders from Venice, Otello also makes disparaging statements about Desdemona -- which are also taken up by the assembled crowd. Otello furiously tells everyone to leave, and becomes so overwrought that he passes out. Iago stands over him in triumph, while the people outside hail Otello as the "Lion of Venice."

Act IV. Desdemona is with Emilia in Desdemona's bedroom. They discuss Desdemona's predicament, and when Emilia leaves, Desdemona quietly sings an "Ave Maria." She falls asleep and Otello enters silently, and kisses her. As in they're opening duet, he kisses her three times, and then she wakes up. Once more, she tells him she is innocent. He says it is, "too late," and strangles her. Emilia comes in just before Desdemona dies. She realizes what has happened and calls for help. Armed men burst in, including Iago and Cassio. It turns out that Roderigo did confront Cassio, but it was Roderigo who was killed. Iago realizes that both Cassio and Emilia are in a position to know what he has done. In the confusion, Iago slips away. By now, Otello also realizes what has happened. He stabs himself and falls near Desdemona's body, to the music of the three kisses they shared in Act I. PERFORMERS:

 
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