Otello
Gioachino Rossini
The outsider Otello, a successful army general, gets married in secret to his great love Desdemona. Her father categorically disapproves of their relationship. Rodrigo, who is also seeking Desdemona’s hand, and by extension the whole community, throw a spanner in the works, awakening jealous demons in Otello’s head. The demons take on a life of their own and prove fatal to the happy couple
Rossini’s choice of a Shakespearean tragedy as his inspiration was daring: it was unconventional to opt for a tragic dénoument rather than a happy ending. A Bel Canto work with demanding parts (for no fewer than 6 tenors!), which guarantees vocal fireworks. This piece heralds the return of native Antwerp director Moshe Leiser and his partner Patrice Caurier to Flanders Opera. They offer a fresh interpretation of the themes of jealousy and racism in this intelligent and inventive production.
Production Opernhaus Zürich.
The creators
Team
Alberto Zedda
Conductor
Riu Sonoda
Conductor
Patrice Caurier
Director
Moshe Leiser
Director
Cast
Gregory Kunde
Jessica Pratt
Carmen Romeu
Josef Wagner