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| Material Type: | Music |
|---|---|
| Document Type: | Sound Recording |
| All Authors / Contributors: |
Giuseppe Verdi; Arrigo Boito; Leonie Rysanek; Jon Vickers; Florindo Andreolli; Tito Gobbi; Tullio Serafin; William Shakespeare; Teatro dell'opera (Rome, Italy) |
| OCLC Number: | 41473783 |
| Language Note: | Sung in Italian. |
| Notes: | Opera in 4 acts. Compact discs. "Living stereo." Program and synopsis in English, German, and French and libretto with English translation (131 p. : ill., ports.) laid in container. |
| Performer(s): | Leonie Rysanek, soprano ; Jon Vickers, Florindo Andreolli, tenors ; Tito Gobbi, baritone ; supporting soloists ; Rome Opera Orchestra and Chorus ; Tullio Serafin, conductor. |
| Production notes: | Recorded July 18-Aug. 8, 1960, Rome Opera House. |
| Description: | 2 sound discs (146 min.) : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in. |
| Responsibility: | Verdi ; [libretto by Arrigo Boito based on Shakespeare's tragedy]. |
Abstract:
Act II. A ground-floor hall in the castle; a door leads to the garden. Iago continues his plan: he suggests to Cassio to ask Desdemona to intercede in his favour with Otello. In a monologue, Iago describes his cynical view of life, then he plants the seeds of jealousy in the Moor's soul, leading him to suspect that there is a secret love between Cassio and Desdemona. Thus, when the woman, arriving from the garden, tries to intercede for the degraded captain, Otello's jealousy is enflamed, and he brusquely refuses the request. Once again, Iago insinuates having heard some compromising words murmured by Cassio in his sleep, and, having obtained with the help of his wife Emilia a handkerchief that Otello had given to his young wife, affirms having seen it in Cassio's hands. For Otello, this is proof enough. He vows terrible revenge.
Act III. The great hall of the castle. The lookout has sighted the galley bringing Venetian ambassadors. Unsuspecting Desdemona once again asks Otello's pardon for Cassio, but all she gets for an answer is Otello's request for her to show him the handkerchief he had given her as a talisman. Since she cannot give it to him, outraged, he accuses her of being a courtesan and repulses her. Alone, he mourns his lost happiness. But the arrival of Iago revives him; the henchman wants to complete his web of lies and prepares more deception. He manages to get Otello to listen, hidden, to a conversation he has with Cassio about a courtesan, making Otello think they are talking about Desdemona. Otello pledges to kill his unfaithful wife. But in the meantime the ambassadors have landed and announce that Otello has been recalled to Venice and that his place will be taken by Cassio. In the presence of the dignitaries, Otello, by now completely out of his mind, tells his wife "we will sail tomorrow" and brutally grabs her arms and throws her to the ground. Iago puts in motion the last part of his diabolical plan, urging Roderigo to kill Cassio, while Otello damns Desdemona; all flee in horror. Delirious, the Moor falls to the ground senseless. Iago triumphs over the inert body of his commander.
Act IV. Desdemona's room. She is getting ready to go to bed, aided by Emilia. She is hurt by Otello's attitude toward her, for which she finds no explanation. She has just finished her prayers when Otello enters. He openly accuses her of having been unfaithful to him, even though, unheeded, Desdemona proclaims her innocence. He has already condemned her and proceeds to strangle her. Emilia returns announcing that Roderigo has been killed while trying to assassinate Cassio. Seeing Desdemona dead, she accuses Otello and cries that he has killed an innocent woman. Iago appears, and Emilia reproaches him for his intrigue; his only answer is to flee. Otello, dismayed and suddenly aware of the trap into which he has fallen gives a last kiss to his beloved wife and stabs himself.
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