Otello: Background and Characters

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Otello: Background and Characters In 1879, Verdi and his wife attended a dinner at the Grand Hotel in Milan. The guests included Giulio Ricordi who had long been trying to convince Verdi to write another Shakespeare opera. Eventually Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello, was brought up in their conversation. Ricordi wanted Verdi and librettist Arrigo Boïto to work together on the project, but their relationship had become strained. However, Verdi agreed to meet with him, and upon hearing his scenario, Verdi encouraged Boïto to continue his work. The process was eventually stalled as Boïto worked on a revision of Simon Boccanegra and Verdi worked on the revision of the French-language Don Carlos to the Italian Don Carlo. Boïto suggested calling the opera Iago to avoid confusion with Rossini’s earlier version, but Verdi insisted on Otello. Verdi finally began work on the score in March 1884 –15 years after his last opera, Aida – completing the work in November 1886. It premiered at La Scala in Milan on February 5, 1887, with enthusiastic reviews from the Italian public and press. This production is a new co-production with the Welsh National Opera. The performances this season will take place on February 3, 6, 10, The opera is sung in Italian with English SURTITLES™. 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 2010 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Book your school group tickets now! Call COC Group Sales at 416-306-2356 or MAIN CHARACTERS e-mail [email protected]. In order of vocal appearance Name Description Voice Type Pronunciation Otello The Moorish Governor of Cyprus, general of the Venetian army tenor oh-TEH-loh Desdemona Otello’s Venetian wife soprano dehz-DEH-moh-nah Iago Otello’s ensign (a rank just below a lieutenant) baritone ee-YAH-go Emilia Iago’s wife and one of Desdemona’s attendants mezzo-soprano eh-MEE-lee-ah Cassio Otello’s friend who has been appointed lieutenant tenor KAH-see-yoh Montano Former Governor of Cyprus bass mohn-TAH-no Roderigo A Venetian gentleman infatuated with Desdemona tenor ro-deh-REE-go Lodovico A Venetian ambassador bass loh-doh-VEE-ko Canadian Opera Company ~ Education and Outreach ~ Otello Study Guide 2009/2010 ~ coc.ca ~ 416-306-2392.

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