Riveting Characterization
Verdi's 'Otello' at Arizona Opera impresses MARIA NOCKIN
Otello is Giuseppe Verdi's next-to-last opera. Its Italian libretto, written by Arrigo Boito, the composer of Mefistofele, is based on Shakespeare's play Othello. The opera was first performed at Teatro alla Scala in Milan on 5 February 1887.
After completing Aida and working on its premières in the early 1870s, Verdi retired with the idea that he could enjoy the rest of his days in comparative ease. Money was no problem for him at this point, but his publisher, Giulio Ricordi, thought his firm could make a good profit if only the composer could be convinced to write another opera...
Copyright © 15 March 2011
Maria Nockin, Arizona USA
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