Otello

Verdi’s masterpiece Otello was presented to the public on February 5, 1887 and immediately turned into an exclusive social event and national triumph in Italy. La Scala was overcrowded with people representing all classes of Milan society. 

 

Librettist Arrigo Boito remained faithful to Shakespeare’s text, however, his libretto is an independent drama, created according to all of the main principles of the Wagnerian reform. Boito omitted the first part of the tragedy and started with the second. The librettist also introduced a few potent changes – having sacrificed a few scenes for the sake of the musical flow, he replaced them with effective episodes of his own. The perfect libretto was a solid background for the birth of the unique opera. 

 

The current LNOBT's production of Otello was prepared by masters of their craft. This most mature of all Verdi‘s creations is a jewel that enriches repertoires of the best theatres in the world, and it has been produced several times in our theatre.