The opera is set in Cyprus at the end of the 15th century. The general Otello, who is in the service of Venice, returns victorious from the campaign to his port city in a dangerous storm with his ship. His subordinates greet him jubilantly, with the exception of Jago, who is already planning his downfall through intrigues about Otello's beautiful wife Desdemona, who is admired by many, and his captain Cassio...
Since 2008, the Oper im Berg Festival, under the patronage of world star Grace Bumbry and in homage to Luciano Pavarotti, has stood for great voices engaged from the annual Grandi Voci competition and for classical direction and wonderful opera productions that are rarely encountered today. For several years the festival has been held in the Große Aula, Salzburg's oldest opera theater (400 years old), where Mozart premiered his first opera!
Since 2008 the Oper im Berg Festival is presenting under Patronage of Opera legend Grace Bumbry and in Hommage Luciano Pavarotti young upraising opera stars in classical opera productions, as they are barely
available today. Since 2017 the Festival takes place in the Große Aula, Salzburg's oldest (400 year old) opera theatre, where WA Mozart performed his first opera.