Overview
Synopsis
Based on the famous play by Shakespeare, Verdi’s Otello follows the story of the happy couple, Otello, the governor of Cyprus and Venetian general, and Desdemona as they are dragged through an evil plot constructed by Iago. Iago is the slighted ensign of Otello, who has been passed over for a promotion. Iago sets up a plan to make Otello think that Desdemona is cheating on him with his newly promoted soldier, Cassio. A tale of love, revenge, betrayal, Otello ends with Iago’s success, Desdemona’s murder, and Otello’s suicide.
Show Information
- Music
- Giuseppe Verdi
- Libretto
- Arrigo Boito
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 4
- First Produced
- 1887
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Multiple Settings, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- late 15th century, cyprus
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Early Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Otello is Verdi’s penultimate opera. After going into retirement after the success of his opera, Aida, Verdi was pulling and prodded in the attempt to get him to come out of retirement to write another piece. His publisher, Giulio Ricordi, tried for ten years to get him to even revise some of his former works, let alone write a new work. Arrigo Boito came on board to assist Verdi to revise Simon Boccanegra which helped Verdi get on board with the idea of a collaboration with Boito on a new
to read the context for Otello and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act I
The people of Cyprus watch from shore as a storm is battering the Venetian fleet that was sent to defend the island of Cyprus from the Turks who are invading. The moor, Otello, is a Venetian general and the governor of Cyprus. He successfully lands his ship in the port and announces the destruction of the Turkish fleet. Iago, Otello’s ensign, talks with the wealthy Roderigo, who openly loves Desdemona, the beautiful Venetian bride of Otello. Iago promises to help Roderigo woo her,
to read the plot for Otello and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
|
Songs
Act I (Exterior of Otello’s Castle)
- Scene and Chorus: Una cela!... Un vessilo! (Iago, Roderigo, Cassio, Montano, Chorus, Otello)
- Chorus: Fuoco di gioia! (Chorus)
- Drinking Song: Roderigo, beviam! (Iago, Roderigo, Chorus, Montano, Otello)
- Scena: Già nella notte densa (Desdemona, Otello)
Act II (Courtyard of Otello’s Castle)
- Scena: Non ti crucciar (Iago, Cassio)
- Aria e scena: Vanne; la tua meta già vedo. (Iago)
- Scena: Ciò m’accora… -Che parli? (Otello, Iago)
- Chorus: Dove guardi splendono (Chorus, Desdemona)
- Scena: D’un uom che geme sotto il tuo sdegno (Desdemona, Emilia, Otello, Iago)
- Scena: Desdemona rea! (Otello, Iago)
Act III (The great hall of the Castle)
- Scena: La vedetta del porto (Otello, Iago)
- Scena: Dio ti giocondi, o sposo (Desdemona, Otello)
- Aria:: Dio! mi potevi scagliar (Otello)
- Scena: Vieni; l’aula è deserta (Otello, Iago, Cassio)
- Scena: Quest’è il segnale (Otello, Iago)
- Finale: Viva il Leon di San Marco! (Chorus, Lodvico, Otello, Desdemona, Emilia, Iago, Roderigo, Cassio)
Act IV (Desdemona’s Bedchamber)
- Canzone: -Era più calmo? -Mi parea M’ingiunse di coricarmi… (Desdemona, Emilia)
- Aria: Ave Maria (Desdemona)
- Scena: Chi è là? (Desdemona, Otello)
- Scena: Calma come la tomba (Otello, Emilia)
- Scena: Quai grida! (Otello, Emilia, Iago, Cassio, Lodvico, Montano)
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
The person who writes the music.
The script of the musical, separate from the musical orchestrations.
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