Otello

Otello has always been one of my favourite ever Verdi operas, and while I prefer the 1986 Zeffirelli film and 1992 production this Otello is wonderful. The costumes and sets are sumptuous and some like the set for Iago's Credo are foreboding. The music is magnificent, Credo In Un Dio Crudel has always been a big favourite of mine, as has Desdemona's Willow Song, Si Pel Ciel, Esultate and the Drinking Song, and they are superbly performed by the orchestra under the lively baton of James Levine. The video directing is excellent. Placido Domingo has always been one of my favourites, and in one of his best roles he is brilliant as Otello, while the voice has a baritonal quality to it the top has a great ring to it, and it also helps that he is a superb actor. Renee Fleming is a great Desdemona, it is a beautiful voice with lots of musicality, and acting-wise she is very poignant and intense. James Morris, though sometimes when I hear him I can't get Wotan out of my mind, is nonetheless a conniving Iago, and while his high register is occasionally over-tensed(Morris is more a bass-baritone) his voice overall is rich and powerful and he sings the Credo very well. Cassio, Ludovico(a role that I think suits Morris more voice register-wise) and Emilia are also convincing, the Drinking song is one of the better sung and conducted Drinking songs I've heard in a while and the final scene is very moving. Overall, a wonderful Otello. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Otello has very quickly become one of my favourite Verdi operas. It has a wonderful story, characters that resonate with you long after and of course the magnificent music. This production of Otello was great in my opinion, I do prefer the 1986 Zefferelli film version, but I could tell a lot of effort went into this and it showed.

The sets and costumes, excepting Sherrill Milnes' tights which are horrible, are very pleasing to the eye without being too fancy, while the photography is excellent with exception of some hazy picture quality during the trio between Iago, Otello and Cassio. All the music is beautifully performed and sung particularly the Willow Song, the revenge duet and especially Iago's Credo in un dio crudel(Milnes' richest and most in tune rendition in my opinion, though I marginally prefer his acting and evil laugh in his All-Star Gala). The performers are first rate, not just Placido Domingo in a fine performance in one of his best roles as Otello but also a wonderfully delicate and poignant Desdemona in the name of Gilda Cruz-Romo and particularly an appropriately slimy and conniving Sherrill Milnes as Iago.

All in all, love the opera, loved the production. 9/10 Bethany Cox