Otello, Opera by G. Verdi
Tragic opera by Giuseppe Verdi (1813 – 1901) in four acts to a libretto by Arrigo Boito based on William Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice. The opera was performed for the first time on 5 February 1887 at La Scala in Milan and was a resounding success. Verdi, however, was oversensitive and self-critical and was never satisfied with performances of Othello. Thanks to the Director of the Czech National Theatre, František Adolf Šubert, the Czech-language version of the opera was performed for the first time in Prague on 7 January 1888. The Prague State Opera, then the New German Theatre, staged its first production of Othello on 20 December 1911.
In the story, Othello, the new governor of Cyprus arrives on the island after having defeated the Turkish fleet and overcome a fierce storm. Iago hates the dark-skinned Othello for having appointed Cassio captain of the fleet and consumed by jealousy he spins a deadly intrigue with the aim of taking revenge against Othello and destroying him. Without the slightest scruple he exploits people’s weaknesses and desires, manipulating them and setting off a course of events which culminate in Othello killing his beloved wife Desdemona. Emilia, Iago’s wife and a friend of Desdemona, uncovers the plot and Othello stabs himself.
Othello is considered to be the greatest Italian tragic opera of the nineteenth century. Iago’s diabolic cynicism makes him a Mephistophelean villain, Desdemona embodies the idealisation of goodness and resignation in self-sacrifice, while wild passion simmers in Othello’s breast.