Otello

Often referred to as the greatest Italian tragic opera, Otello combines Guiseppe Verdi’s brilliant music and William Shakespeare’s celebrated tragedy, as superbly adapted by the librettist Arrigo Boito.

Shakespeare (and Boito) and Verdi lead the title hero into an ever-deeper abyss. The opera opens with a powerful storm scene and the jubilant entry of Otello, commander of the Venetian Navy, who, in spite of all the natural forces, returns to Cyprus and announces victory over the Ottoman Empire. The hero, however, makes the fatal error of trusting an evil man. Iago, a ruthless schemer devoured by lust for power, turns Otello’s life into a hell. Lost in his own delusions, Iago’s intrigues drive the feted general to blind jealousy, ultimately resulting in murder. Verdi was well aware of the extraordinary quality of Boito’s libretto, the finest he encountered during his career as a composer. He believed that together they had created a masterpiece – and he was right.

Approximate running time: 2 hours 40 minutes, 1 intermission (20 minutes) minutes

Language: In Italian, surtitles in Czech, English

Premiere: September 26, 2024

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