Verdi: Otello (2008)
A landmark Salzburg Festival production of Verdi's towering opera, conducted by Riccardo Muti with the Vienna Philharmonic.
Verdi: Otello - Movie Information
- Original Title: Verdi: Otello
- Release Year: 2008
- Directed by: Peter Schönhofer, Stephen Langridge
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Music
- Runtime: 2h 23m
- Original Language: Italian
- Spoken Languages: Italian
- Production Companies: Unitel Classica, C Major Entertainment
- Production Countries: Austria
Verdi: Otello - Plot
From the 'Tutto Verdi' series: "Otello", Salzburg Festival 2008. "Otello" is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi, with an Italian libretto by Arrigo Boito, inspired by Shakespeare's play "Othello". It is Verdi's penultimate opera, premiered at La Scala in Milan on 5 February 1887. For the 2008 Salzburg Festival, Riccardo Muti conducts the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. He directs the Vienna State Opera Chorus and the Salzburg Festival Children's Choir.
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Verdi: Otello - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Peter Schönhofer
- Stephen Langridge
Main Cast
- Aleksandrs Antonenko
- Marina Poplavskaya
- Carlos Álvarez
- Barbara Di Castri
- Stephen Costello
- Antonello Ceron
- Mikhail Petrenko
- Simone del Savio
- Andrea Porta
Writers
- Arrigo Boito
Verdi: Otello - FAQs
What is Verdi: Otello about?
Verdi: Otello is a filmed recording of Giuseppe Verdi's four-act opera, captured at the 2008 Salzburg Festival. Based on Shakespeare's Othello with a libretto by Arrigo Boito, it follows the Moorish general Otello whose love for Desdemona is destroyed by the scheming Jago. Riccardo Muti conducts the Vienna Philharmonic.
Is Verdi: Otello based on a true story?
Not exactly. Verdi's opera draws from Shakespeare's play Othello, which was itself inspired by a 1565 Italian tale by Cinthio. The story of jealousy and betrayal is fictional, though Shakespeare and Verdi shaped it into one of the most psychologically intense dramas in the Western canon.
Where can you watch Verdi: Otello online?
You can find streaming and viewing options for Verdi: Otello on JustWatch, which lists all available platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country, so checking JustWatch is the easiest way to see where it's currently accessible for rent, purchase, or streaming.
Who conducts the orchestra in this production?
The legendary Riccardo Muti takes the podium, leading the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra along with the Vienna State Opera Chorus and the Salzburg Festival Children's Choir. Muti is widely regarded as one of the foremost Verdi interpreters of his generation, making this performance a particularly authoritative reading of the score.
Who are the lead singers in this Otello?
Latvian tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko takes on the title role of Otello, with Russian soprano Marina Poplavskaya as Desdemona and Spanish baritone Carlos Álvarez delivering a chilling portrayal of the villainous Jago. Together they form a compelling trio at the heart of this Salzburg production.
What is the Tutto Verdi series?
Tutto Verdi is an ambitious filmed series presenting all 28 of Giuseppe Verdi's operas in high-quality productions. Released to coincide with the composer's bicentenary, the series brings together leading conductors, orchestras, and singers to document Verdi's complete operatic output for home audiences worldwide.
When did Verdi's Otello premiere at La Scala?
Verdi's Otello had its world premiere at La Scala in Milan on 5 February 1887. It was a landmark event in operatic history, marking Verdi's return to opera composition after a 16-year hiatus following Aida. The premiere was a triumph and cemented Otello as one of his greatest achievements.
Who wrote the libretto for Verdi's Otello?
The libretto was crafted by Arrigo Boito, a poet and composer in his own right. Boito's adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello is celebrated for its dramatic compression and poetic brilliance. His collaboration with Verdi on Otello and later Falstaff produced two of the finest opera libretti ever written.
More About Verdi: Otello
Explore further details about this production on these authoritative resources.