Verdi's masterpiece Otello will return to the Met stage on Tuesday evening after a four year absence in the production by Elijah Moshinsky.
The opera is based on the Shakespeare play and tells the story of Otello the moor that falls into a jealous rage incited by his evil commander Iago. Through Iago's lies and deceit, Otello ends up killing his beloved wife Desdemona.This opera is considered the height of Italian opera and unlike earlier Verdi works, the musical forms are interconnected and less evident.
Johan Botha will reprise the fiendishly difficult role of the insecure Otello. Botha first sang the role in 2008 to great acclaim and later opened the San Francisco Opera season in the role.
The people's Diva Renee Fleming reprises the role of Desdemona for the third time at the Met. The soprano made her role debut back in 1995 alongside Placido Domingo and recently said in an interview with Margaret Junwait that she is happy to be returning to the role. Faulk Struckmann brings his imposing personality to the role of Iago and rising star Michael Fabiano sings his first Cassion.
Russian conductor Semyon Byhkov returns to the Met podium after a four year absence. He last conducted Otello at the Met with Botha and Fleming.
Otello will be performed on October 9, 13, 16, 20, and 27 with the final performance in October to be recorded and presented live in movie theaters around the world.
The opera will return in March with the acclaimed interpreter Jose Cura and his usual partner Krassimira Stoyanova. Thomas Hampson will sing Iago after a phenomenal role debut at the Zurich opera. French Armenian conductor Alain Atinoglu replaces originally scheduled Placido Domingo in the podium.The March performances will be on the 15, 20, 23, 27, and 30.
For more information, vist the Met's official website.