Otello

Giuseppe Verdi retired after the premiere of Aida in 1871 and did not write another opera for 16 years. "Why should I compose?" - he said. He was estranged from his time: from the renewal of Italian opera, Wagnerism, current politics. However, thanks to a dinner in Milan and the persistent young composer Giulio Ricordi, the Maestro set about composing a new work, which he called 'the Chocolate Project'. The result was the premiere of the last opera of the then 74-year-old Maestro, Otello, at La Scala in 1887. In the raging storm scene of the opening moments, Verdi's music rang out with elemental power after so many years of silence. A man who felt himself an outsider had composed the story of an 'outsider' man. Otello, the Moor, the soldier, the leader, the loving husband, who, despite all his merits, is not accepted by the people of Venice: he remains forever 'black', a stranger. The vulnerability of a stranger who wants to fit in is easily exploited by a false friend - and jealousy. Otello is an exceptional, uncluttered work, in which Verdi speaks in his familiar, distinctive voice, while bringing new colours to his oeuvre. This operatic version of Shakespeare's tragedy has been staged by star Italian director Stefano Poda.

SOURCES

Composed by Giuseppe Verdi

Lyrics by Arrigo Boito

Director, set, costume and lighting designer: Stefano Poda

Associate director: Paolo Giani Cei

Subtitles in Hungarian: Judit Kenesey

English subtitles by Arthur Roger Crane

Director of the children's choir: Nikolett Hajzer

Choir director: Gábor Csiki