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Otello by Giuseppe Verdi PDF Print E-mail
Written by Yareah magazine   
Sunday, 21 March 2010 13:02

 
http://artsyareah.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/banderayareah_p.gif?w=22&h=15Otello is an Italian opera composed by Giuseppe Verdi in 1884. The libretto is based on Shakespeare’s play Othello and its first performance was the 5th of February, 1887 in La Scala (Milan).
The Main Characters are: Otello, a Venetian General and current governor of Cyprus, but of Moorish background (tenor); Desdemona, the beautiful wife of Otello (soprano); Iago, Otello’s ensign (baritone); Emilia, Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s friend (mezzo-soprano); Cassio, Venetian officer (tenor); Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman (tenor); Ludovico, a Venetian embassador (bass); Montano, ex-governor of Cyprus (bass).
Plot:

(Situated in the 15th century)
Act I
Otello has defeated the Turks and arrives victorious at home, in Cyprus. The people celebrate but Iago is jealous over Cassio’s promotion and encourages him to drink too much. Otello is angered by the disturbance and replaces Cassio with Iago.
Act II
Iago makes Otello to believe that Desdemona and Cassio have been having an affair.
At the beginning, Otello doubts but when Desdemona asks him to pardon Cassio, he starts to be suspicious and asks Iago for proof of his wife’s infidelity. Iago tells him that he saw Cassio with Desdemona’s handkerchief (a handkerchief that she had lost). Otello is furious and sweats to avenge the infidelity.
Act III
Iago continues lying and convinces Otello that they should kill Cassio and Desdemona at night. Officers appear to communicate that Otello has been called back to Venice, which would leave Cassio in-charge. Iago tells Roderigo that it is time to murder Cassio.
Act IV
In her room, Desdemona sings The Willow Song. Otello angrily enters and chokes her to death. As others arrive and say Iago has been deceiving Otello, he draws his weapon and stabs himself after kissing Desdemona one last time.
Read more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Verdi

 

 
Last Updated ( Sunday, 21 March 2010 13:08 )