Otello

Overview

Based on Shakespeare's play, Verdi's opera depicts the devastating effects of jealousy, "...the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds upon". Believing Otello has promoted the fast-rising Cassio over himself, Iago plots to destroy both Cassio and Otello. Iago convinces the jealous Otello that his beautiful wife Desdemona is unfaithful, and that Cassio is her lover. Jealousy is followed by tragedy, then retribution, "Has Heaven no more thunderbolts?"

Directed by Franco Zeffirelli

Top cast

Plácido Domingo

Otello

Katia Ricciarelli

Desdemona

Justino Díaz

Iago

P

Petra Malakova

Emilia

Urbano Barberini

Cassio

Massimo Foschi

Lodovico

E

Edwin Francis

Montano

Sergio Nicolai

Roderigo

Remo Remotti

Brabantio

Antonio Pierfederici

Doge

G

Gabriella Borni

Dancer Soloist

Enzo Marino Bellanich

P

Peter Lapres

Cassio's Aide

A

Alessandro Spadorcia

Benito Barbieri

Daniela Merlo

Details