Otello

Story

Synopsis

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?"

Director

Franco Zeffirelli

Writers

Franco Zeffirelli, Arrigo Boito, William Shakespeare

Language

French

Country

Italy, Netherlands, United States of America

Release date

4 September 1986

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Plácido Domingo

  Otello

• 

  Katia Ricciarelli

  Desdemona

• 

  Justino Díaz

  Iago

• Petra Malakova

  Emilia

• 

  Urbano Barberini

  Cassio

• 

  Massimo Foschi

  Lodovico

• Edwin Francis

  Montano

• 

  Sergio Nicolai

  Roderigo

• 

  Remo Remotti

  Brabantio

• 

  Antonio Pierfederici

  Doge

• Gabriella Borni

  Dancer Soloist

• 

  Enzo Marino Bellanich