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|Startsida | Sångare | Andra artister och kreatörer | Libretton | Operahus | Jag och min operavärld | Sökord |
Music:Giuseppe Verdi.Lyrics:Arrigo Boito after Shakespeares tragedy with the same name.
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First performance: 5th of Februari 1887 at Teatro alla Scala, in Milano. Swedish première: Royal Opera in Stockholm 27 of May 1890
| Role | Voicetype |
|---|---|
| Otello,a moorishgeneral,governor | tenor |
| Jago,Otellos ensign | tenor |
| Desdemona,Otellos wife | soprano | mezzosoprano |
| Roderigo,a Venetian gentleman | tenor |
| Lodovico,Ambassador of the Venetian Republic | |
| Cassio,captain | tenor |
| Montano,former Governor of Cyprus | bass |
It´s a stormy and ominous night. On the quay a group of people await Othello's return. They spot hisn ship fighting its way through the storm - and cheer as it safely reaches land. Otello declares briefly that the Turkish enemy has fallen. Two eople do nor rejoice in the news - Rodrigo and Jago. Rodrigo is in love with Otello´s wife, Desdemona. Jago is wexed as Otello has chosen Cassio to be his captain. The two of them get Cassio drunk and he brawls with Montano. Otello steps in to stop the fight. He degrades Cassio as a punishment for wounding Montano. Desdemona is woken by the scuffle and joins her husband. When all is calm, Otello and Desdemona blissfully embrace under the starry sky.
Cassio is distressed. Jago consoles him, advising him to ask Desdemona to make his amends with Otello.Cassio leaves, Jago reflects over the evil pssessing him and the world he lives in. Otello enters; he realises that Desdemona is speaking with Cassio. Jago manages to inflame Otello´s jealousy, with subtle and poisonous hints. When shortly after Desdemona pleads for Cassio, Otello severely refuses her. He apologises for his behaviour, claiming he has a headache. Desdemona attempts to soothe his brow with a gift from Otello - her handkerchief - but he casts it aside in anger. Jago´s wife, Emilia, picks it up, and Jaga snatches it from her. Otello´s behaviour forces Desdemona to leave I tears. Jago continues to feed Otello´s jealousy, describing how he has heard Cassio speaking in his sleep of his amorous encounters with Desdemona. Jago thinks he might have seen Cassio carrying Desdemona´s handkerchief. Otello is beside himself with fury and swears revenge.
Jago tells Otello that he has planed a meeting with Cassio. Hiding nearby, Otello will consequently gain reassurance of Desdemona´s in fidelity. Otello agrees to the idea. As Desdemona enters, Jago reminds him of the handkerchief. Otello greets Desdemona politely. When sha asks Otello to forgive Cassio, he fakes jet another headache. Desdemona hands him her handkerchief. Otello reproaches her, as it´s not the handkerchief he once had given her. She denisies loosing it, but Otello accuses her of being a whore. Desdemona is baffled and upset by his accusation and leaves. Jago returns announcing that Cassio is on his way. Otello hides. Cunningly Jago gets Cassio to speak of his love for another woman - in such a way that Otello perceives Desdemona to be Cassio´s lover. Cassio has found Desdemona´s handkerchief in his room, placed ther by Jago. Cassio believes it to be from an unknown admirer, and shows it to Jago. Otello is now convinced of Desdemona´s guilt and is determined to kill her. Jago suggests that Otello strangle Desdemona in her bed of sin. Otello immediately appoints Jago his captain. A fanfare of trumpets announces that a Venetian delegation has arrives, under Lodovico´s command. He brings a message from the Doge of Venice; Otello must return and leave the rule of Cyprus to Casio. Otello is furious at the promotion of his enemy, and publicly humiliates Desdemona. Jago is surprised at this development, but is quick to exploit the situation. Otello and Jago pledge that Cassio must be killed. Jago convinces Rodrigo to do the deed. When alone, Otello faints with exhaustion. As the people salute Otello in the distance - Jafo regards "the lion of Venice".
It´s soon night. Otello has told Desdemona to go to bed and wait for him, she tells this to Emilia. She has a premonition of death, and remembers a song from her childhood - a song of willow trees, of a girl,sadly in love. Desdemona says her prayers. Silently, Otello enters her room. When Desdemona wakes, she realises that he will kill her, because he believes she has betrayed him with Cassio. Again she claims her innocence and begs for her life, but still Otello strangles her. Emilia enters; exclaiming that Cassio has killed Rodrigo. A faint voice coming from the bed reveals to her that Desdemona is dying. Emilia questions the identity of the killer. Desdemona answers that it´s her own doing. "It´s a lie", Otello cries, "I killed her". Emilia calls for help - Lodovico, Cassio, Jago and Montano come running. Jago flees after his deception, regarding the handkerchief, is revealed. Otello realises the terrible mistake he has made. He has no other option, but to thrust a dagger into his chest - he dies at the side of his beloved Desdemona.
Nina Bassett
