ConduCtor giuseppe verdi Yannick Nézet-Séguin PRODUCtIon Bartlett Sher otello SEt dESIGnEr october 17, 2015 Es Devlin CoStuME dESIGnEr Catherine Zuber ACT 1 Cyprus, late 19th century. During a storm, the people of Cassio mentions an unknown admirer’s gift and produces the CominG soon LIGHtInG dESIGnEr Cyprus await the return of their governor and general of the telltale handkerchief—in fact planted by Iago in his room. Otello Donald Holder Venetian fleet, the Moor Otello. He has been fighting the Mus- is shattered and vows that he will kill his wife. Iago promises to Wagner lim Turks and guides his victorious navy to safe harbor. In his deal with Cassio. Tannhäuser PROJECtIon dESIGnEr absence, the young Venetian Roderigo has arrived in Cyprus and oCt 31 Luke Halls fallen in love with Otello’s new wife, Desdemona. Otello’s ensign A delegation from Venice arrives to recall Otello home and to appoint Cassio as the new governor of Cyprus. At this news, Berg LIVE IN HD HoSt Iago, who secretly hates the governor for promoting the officer Otello loses control, hurling insults at Desdemona in front of Lulu Eric Owens Cassio over him, promises Roderigo to help win her. While the citizens celebrate their governor’s return, Iago launches his plan the crowd. He orders everyone away and finally collapses in a NOV 21 LIVE IN HD Director to ruin Otello. Knowing that Cassio gets drunk easily, Iago pro- seizure. As the Cypriots are heard from outside praising Otello Gary Halvarson as the “Lion of Venice,” Iago gloats over him, “Behold the Lion!” Mozart poses a toast. Cassio declines to drink, but abandons his scru- The Magic Flute Cast in order of ples when Iago salutes Desdemona. Iago then goads Roderigo ACT 4 Emilia helps the distraught Desdemona prepare for bed. Holiday encore DEC 12 voCal appearanCe into provoking a fight with Cassio, who is now fully drunk. Mon- She has just finished saying her evening prayers when Otello Bizet Montano tano, the former governor, tries to separate the two, and Cas- enters and wakes her with a kiss to tell her he is about to kill her. Jeff Mattsey sio attacks him as well. Otello appears to restore order, furious Paralyzed with fear, Desdemona again protests her innocence. Les Pêcheurs de Perles about his soldiers’ behavior. When he realizes that Desdemona (The Pearl Fishers) Cassio Otello coldly strangles her. Emilia runs in with news that Cas- has also been disturbed by the commotion, he takes away Cas- JAN 16 Dimitri Pittas sio has killed Roderigo. Iago’s plot is finally revealed and Otello sio’s recent promotion and dismisses everyone. Otello and Des - realizes what he has done. Reflecting on his past glory he pulls Puccini IaGo demona reaffirm their love. out a dagger and stabs himself, dying with a final kiss for his wife. Željko Lučić Turandot ACT 2 Iago advises Cassio to present his case to Desdemona, JAN 30 rodErigo arguing that her influence on Otello will secure his rehabilitation. Production a gift of Jacqueline Desmarais, in memory of Paul G. Chad Shelton Puccini Alone, Iago reveals his bleak, nihilistic view of humankind. He Desmarais Sr. Manon Lescaut otello makes dismissive remarks about Desdemona’s fidelity to Otello, MAR 5 Aleksandrs Antonenko whose jealousy is easily aroused. Otello’s suspicions are raised The Met: Live in HD series is made possible by a generous grant from its founding sponsor Desdemona when Desdemona appears and appeals to him on Cassio’s Puccini Sonya Yoncheva behalf. Otello evasively complains of a headache, and Desde- Madama Butterfly mona offers him a handkerchief, which he tosses to the ground. APR 2 Emilia Global corporate sponsorship of The Met: Live in HD Emilia, Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s maidservant, retrieves it, is provided by Jennifer Johnson Cano and Iago seizes the handkerchief from her. Left alone with Otello, donizetti a HEraLd Iago fans the flames of the governor’s suspicions by inventing Roberto Devereux Tyler Duncan a story of how Cassio had spoken of Desdemona in his sleep, APR 16 The HD broadcasts are supported by Toll Brothers, Lodovico and how he saw her handkerchief in Cassio’s hand. Seething with StrauSS America’s luxury home builder.® Günther Groissböck jealousy, Otello is now convinced that his wife is unfaithful. The Elektra two men join in an oath to punish Cassio and Desdemona. APR 30 INTERMISSION ACT 3 Iago’s plot continues to unfold as he tells Otello that he membErS get MorE will have further proof of his wife and Cassio’s betrayal. When, moments later, Desdemona approaches Otello and once again celebrate the 10th Anniversary of The Met: pleads for Cassio, Otello again feigns a headache and insists Live in HD by becoming a Met member on seeing the missing handkerchief, which he had once given today—and enjoy exclusive privileges all her as a gift. When she cannot produce it, he insults her as a season long. whore. Alone, he gives in to his desperation and self-pity. Iago returns with Cassio, and Otello hides to eavesdrop on their con - visit metopera.org/Hdmember or call versation, which Iago cleverly leads in such a way that Otello is 1.800.MET.OPERA to join today. convinced they are discussing Cassio’s affair with Desdemona. .