DETAILS

Introduction

Hook

Different from William Shakespeare’s tragic play “Othello” positioned as its original piece, Opera “Otello” composed by G. Rossini unfolds around a noble and proud heroine Desdemona. Three belcanto tenors play as Otello, Rodrigo and Iago who lays a trap for two others. The highlight of Act One is a gallant cavatina of introduction, duet of Rodrigo and Iago, and lyric female duet. In Act Two, an aria of Rodrigo who anguishes with Desdemona’s rejection, duet of Otello and Iago, which influenced Verdi’s work, an encounter of high note between 2 tenors, and Desdemona’s consuming aria to close the Act. The story of jealousy and dark plot ends here. In Act Three, a canzone by a gondolier, famous “Canzone del Salice” (Song of Willow) with harp accompaniment, and dramatic music and staging of stabbing scene of Desdemona, which took Romantic music in advance.

Story

Act One
In the Senate Chamber of Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) in Venice. Otello, an African (*note), returns victorious from a battle against Turks and gains Venetian citizenship as a reward. Otello secretly weds Desdemona, daughter of senator Elmiro, who doesn’t know this secret engagement and wants to marry off his daughter to Rodrigo, son of the Doge of Venice. Iago being jealous about Otello’s success, buys over Rodrigo using Desdemona’s letter and sets a trap for Otello. When Elmiro leads Rodrigo and Desdemona to the wedding site, Otello interrupts them and unveils that Desdemona swore her love to Otello. Heard of Desdemona’s affirmative words, company are all astonished. Elmiro abuses his daughter with curse word and takes her away. Rodrigo and Otello stare at each other and in the midst of the melee the curtain falls.
*note: Despite the full title of this opera “Otello, ossia il moro di Venezia”, (Otello, or a Moor of Venice), it is defined that Otello is an African in libretto and character summary.

Act Two
In a room in Elmiro’s residence. Rodrigo makes advances to Desdemona who refuses him saying “I am already his wife”, so Rodrigo swears vengeance on Otello. Meanwhile, Otello distrusts Desdemona’s love and is distress at his residence. Iago appears to Otello, shows him Desdemona’s letter, and makes him believe that words of love to Rodrigo are written in the letter. Swearing vengeance on Rodrigo in a fury, Otello challenge him to a duel.
Desdemona rushes into the place to try to stop the duel. But the both men directs the anger to Desdemona who desperate enough to fall in a faint. Otello and Rodrigo go off to fight, and Desdemona collapses. Desdemona comes back to her awareness thanks to Emilia’s care.
She worries if Otello has been killed. Then, some friends announce her Otello’s safety and she is relieved. But under an accusation of her father Elmiro saying “You must receive divine punishment”, Desdemona plumbs the depths of sorrow.

Act Three
In Desdemona’s bedchamber. When Emilia consoles grieving Desdemona, a doloroso song by gondolier reaches their ears. “Nessun maggior dolore che ricordarsi del tempo felice nella miseria. (Recalling happy moments in such a miserable life is the most painful.)“ Desdemona forefeels her death and sings “Canzone del Salice” (Song of Willow); that means “A maiden lays down life’s burden under the willow tree feeling overcome with sadness. And Desdemona falls asleep after offering prayers to God. Then, Otello appears there from a secret door with a lamp in one hand, a dagger under his arm, and hesitates to kill her watching her beautiful sleeping face. However, hearing her dreaming whisper “My dear!” Otello gets the wrong idea that she must have loved Rodrigo, and is murderous angry with her. A storm breaks overhead. Through the lightning flashes and the thunder rumbles Desdemona awakes from sleep. Otello confronts her closely, and Desdemona appeals her innocence. After a heated exchange, Desdemona begs Otello to kill her saying “Please take off my life!”, and Otello stabs her to death. Then Lucio appears there and tells him that Iago has confessed his dark plot and died in duel with Rodrigo. After clear up their misunderstanding, Elmiro and Rodrigo come into the room. Otello presents them Desdemona’s remain and ends his own life with remorse of his mistake.

Akira MIZUTANI