7 - 14/10/2000 20:00
Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium
350
Otello
Opera in Four Acts
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Arrigo Boito based on the drama
of the same name by William Shakespeare
Cast
Otello Ion Tudoroiu (Tenor)
Desdemona OIaga Makarina (Soprano)
Iago Paolo Coni (Baritone)
Cassio Barton Green (Tenor)
Lodovico Brian Jauhiainen (Bass)
Emilia Liang Ning (Mezzo-soprano)
Roderigo Li Chujian (Tenor)
Montano Tian Hao (Bass)
A Herald Wang Xupeng (Bass)
Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Central Opera
Theatre of China
Conductor Eve Queler
Chorus Master Italo Marchini
Musical Coach Enza Ferrari
Assistant Conductor Gao Weichun
Chorus Master !E Musical Coach Jiemi Zhang
Production Elijah Moshinsky
Stage Director Henry G. Akina
Set Designer Tim O!|Brien
Lighting Designer Robert Bryan
Production !E Tour Manager Ted Pursey
Stage Manager Fatima Beirao, Li Ding, Luca Pellizzaroli
Wardrobe Officer Corrine Jones-Lord
Make up Ren Xiaoqiu
Co-production
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, England
Otello
Otello is a magnificent opera composed by Verdi in his late period. It is a
brilliant achievement of his continuation and development of the Italian
national opera and his operatic reform. This work represents the unity of
perfect form and profound ideas and has a great artistic power. Since the first
appearance of this opera, it has been performed many times on the stage, but
each performance can still fill the audience with new feelings and leave them
with a deep impression.
Otello: The Story
The setting in Cyprus in the mid-sixteenth century, when the island was under
the rule of the Republic of Venice. Otello, a Moorish general in the Venetian
army, was the governor. He had recently promoted Cassio as captain. For that,
his ensign Iago hates him bitterly while pretending to be loyal and honest,
Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman who nurtured a secret love for Otello!|s wife
Desdemona, had followed her to Cyprus. The opera begins with a raging storm at
night.
ACT 1
Otello returns from battle and his ship arrives as the tempest subsides. He is
greeted by a cheering crowd as he announces his victory over the Turks. Iago
sets out to plot his vengeance by making Cassio drunk and inciting Roderigo to
proboke a brawl, in which a senior officer, Montano, was wounded. Otello at once
restores peace and in his anger dismisses Cassio. Left alone, Otello and
Desdemona tenderly recall their courtship in a profound expression of love and
happiness.
ACT II
Iago advises Cassio to seek Desdemona!|s help in regaining Otello!|s favour.
Then, alone, he proclaims his belief in a cruel god of evil who inspires his
hatred and malignity. With Otello, Iago succeeds in arousing his suspicions of
Desdemona!|s faithfulness with casual hints of her intimate relationship with
Cassio. When indeed Desdemona comes to plead for Cassio!|s pardon, Otello
becomes distraught. Fearing he is ill, she tries to soothe his brow with the
handkerchief which is his first gift of love. This he throws to the groud and is
picked up by Emilia, Iago!|s wife and Desdemona!|s lady-in-waiting. From
Emilia!|s hand, Iago snatches that handkerchief away. Otello orders the women to
leave, and Iago poisons his mind further by describing how he heard Cassio call
Desdemona!|s name in his dream and saw her handkerchief in his hand. Frantic
with rage, Otello swears revenge.
ACT III
Iago assures Otello of more proof of Desdemona!|s guilt and leaves as he sees
her approaching. When Otello demands the handkerchief, Desdemona again pleads
for Cassio!|s reinstatement. He calls her a courtesan and forces her out. Alone,
Otello bewails his misery. He hides as Iago returns with Cassio engaged in a
light-hearted conversation. Eavesdropping at a distance, Otello believes Cassio
to be talking about Desdemona. Iago cleverly flashes her handkerchief for him to
see. Thereupon Otello resolves to kill his wife that night. The ambassador
Lodovico arrives to announce the ruling Council!|s decision to recall Otello to
Venice and the appointment of Cassio as the new governor. Otello loses control
and strikes Desdemona. Having rudely dismissed the courtiers, he collapses in
fit.
ACT IV
Desdemona sings the willow song, about a forsaken maiden. She bids Emilia good
night, says her prayers and retires to bed. Otello comes in, and his kiss
awakens her. Without hearing her protestations of innocence, he suffocates her.
Emilia knocks and cries for help. Before Lodovico, Casio and others, she reveals
Iago!|s treachery. Otello realizes his tragedy and stabs himself, dying upon one
final kiss on the chaste Desdemona.