"Otello is a masterpiece. Go on your knees, Mother, and say 'Viva Verdi'."
~ Arturo Toscanini, second cello at the premiere performance

Librettist: Arrigo Boito
Based on the play Othello by William Shakespeare

Cast of Characters
(in order of vocal appearance)

• Montano, (bass) Otello's predecessor as Governor
• Cassio, (tenor) a Captain
• Iago, (baritone) Otello's ensign
• Roderigo, (tenor) a Venetian gentleman
• Otello, (tenor) A General in the Venetian Army
• Desdemona, (soprano) wife of Otello
• Emilia, (mezzo-soprano) Iago's wife and Desdemona's attendant
• Herald, (baritone)
• Lodovico, (bass) Ambassador of the Venetian republic
• Soldiers and sailors from Venice and the people of Cyprus.

Setting

The Opera takes place at the end of the Fifteenth Century in a seaport in Cyprus

Premiere

5^th February 1887; La Scala, Milan; Italy.

Plot

Otello has married Desdemona against her father's wishes. A mercenary in the service of the Venetian Army, Otello has been sent to Cyprus to repel an invasion by the Turks. Iago, his ensign, feels slighted because of Cassio's promotion over him in rank. Iago plots and manipulates events and feelings to his benefit in order to destroy Otello's marriage and eventually his life.

Additional Information:

• Brief Description of the Opera
• Performance History
• Synopsis
• Ballibili
• Boito's Characterizations
• Ricordi's Disposizione Scenica
• What Fires Otello's Intensity? (An analysis of the drama)
• The Story That Started It All
• Famous Interpretors of Otello
• Rehearsals with Verdi
• Libretto
• Discography
• Pictures
• Bibliography
• (A new production for the 1996 Alexandria's World Festival)

Copyright © 1996, Stephen L. Parker.