4th March

Concert will begin at 19:00 hours GMT

Verdi's 'Otello' with Kunde, Sicilia, Vassallo, Miglietta and Ogii from Bologna

Verdi's 'Otello' is an opera in four acts to an Italian libretto by Arrigo Boito, based on Shakespeare's play Othello. On a stormy evening, the people of Cyprus anxiously await the arrival of the new governor, Otello, from a naval battle with the Turks. For a moment it seems as if Otello's ship will founder, to the delight of Otello's treacherous ensign, Iago, but Otello arrives safely and announces that the Turkish fleet has been destroyed, and the Cypriots cheer. Iago offers to help the young Venetian gentleman Roderigo in his seduction of Otello's wife, Desdemona – Iago envies Otello his success and longs to destroy the Moor.

Performers: Otello: Gregory Kunde. Jago: Franco Vassallo. Cassio: Marco Miglietta. Roderigo: Pietro Picone. Lodovico: Luciano Leoni. Montano: Luca Gallo. Desdemona: Mariangela Sicilia. Emilia: Marina Ogii. Harald: Tong Liu.

Teatro Comunale di Bologna Choir and Orchestra. Conductor: Asher Fisch.

Recorded 24 July 2021.