Organization

Sångare

Tenor

Russell Thomas

Otello

Soprano

Hrachuhí Bassénz

Desdemona

Baritone

Christopher Maltman

Jago

Piotr Buszewski

Cassio

Andrés Presno

Roderigo

Bass

Alexander Köpeczi

Lodovico

Blaise Malaba

Montano

Regissör

Keith Warner

Dirigent

Antonio Pappano

Ljus designer

Bruno Poet

Kostym designer

Kaspar Glarner

Scenograf

Boris Kudlička

Stuntkoordinator

Ran Arthur Braun

Movement director

Michael Barry

Daniele Rustioni

Körledare

William Spaulding

Dawid Kimberg

Un araldo

Mezzo-soprano

Monika-Evelin Liiv

Emilia

Royal Opera House

Orchestra

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Others

Chorus of the Royal Opera House

italienska

London

Storbritannien

Main Stage

Otello Verdi

Public

engelska

Approved

Antonio Pappano conducts a new production of Verdi’s thrilling Shakespeare-inspired opera directed by Keith Warner, starring Jonas Kaufmann and Gregory Kunde...

Jonas Kaufmann and Marco Vratogna sing 'Si, pel ciel marmoreo giuro' from Verdi's Otello in Keith Warner's production (2017)

Find out more at www.roh.org.uk/otello

Otello is Verdi’s final tragedy. After astonishing productivity in his early career, the composer slowed in later life; more than fifteen years separate Otello and its predecessor, Aida, although Verdi revised his earlier works Simon Boccanegra and Don Carlo in the interim. He was lured out of retirement by the composer and librettist Arrigo Boito, who tempted him with a proposal that was very close to Verdi’s heart: Shakespeare’s Othello. Boito adapted the libretto from Shakespeare’s play, with much intervention from Verdi. As the latest utterance from the master of Italian opera, the 1887 premiere was an instant success – but, more than that, Otello has been an important part of the international opera repertory ever since.

The Italian musical landscape had changed during Verdi’s period of isolation, with many of his compatriots finding inspiration in foreign operatic innovations. Verdi responds in Otello with music that looks back to the traditional forms and structures of Italian opera, but which carries an unmistakably different dramatic thrust and fluidity, in response to Shakespeare’s text. The results are thrilling: from the violent storm that opens the opera through to Iago’s blood-chilling Credo and Otello’s increasingly desperate duets with Desdemona. Keith Warner (Wozzeck, Der Ring des Nibelungen) directs a new production of this masterpiece, The Royal Opera’s first in 30 years.

Verdi's Otello - Act II finale (Jonas Kaufmann and Marco Vratogna, The Royal Opera)

Verdi’s Shakespeare-inspired penultimate opera marks the culmination of the composer’s genius, and is one of the most powerful works in the repertory. The perfect marriage of music and drama, with scenes ranging from the grand and ceremonial to those of exquisite intimacy, Otello charts the fall of an all-powerful leader from the radiance of power to the darkness of deluded jealousy. American tenor Russell Thomas takes on the title role for which he is becoming increasingly renowned, alongside Armenian soprano Hrachuhí Bassénz as Desdemona and British baritone Christopher Maltman as Otello’s nemesis Iago. Daniele Rustioni conducts this revival of Keith Warner’s brooding and insightful production.

English

Föreställningskrediter (Medverkande & produktionsteam )

Medverkande

Besättning

Ensemble