OTELLO

Composer: GIUSEPPE VERDI Book by Arrico Boiro, after Shakespeare First performance: La Scala, Milan, February 5, 1887 4 acts. OTHELLO arrives at Cyprus, and announces that the Turkish fleet has been annihilated. Iago begins to plot against Othello because the latter has promoted Ca io over Iago’s head. Roderigo is in love with Des demon a, recently married to Othello. Ca io wounds Montano in a brawl incited by Iago. Othello relieves Ca io of his commi ion. Des demon a is prevailed upon by Ca io to intercede for him. She accidentally drops a handkerchief which Iago’s wife, Emilia, picks up. Iago builds Othello’s jealousy of Ca io by showing Othello the handkerchief. Othello, infuriated, decides to poison Des demon a, but Iago counsels smothering her. He himself will take care of Ca io. Othello promotes Iago. The head of the Venetian emba y appears to read an order removing Othello, and placing Ca io in his place. Des demon a who has interceded before this for Ca io is insulted by Othello. Later Othello enters Des demon a’s bedroom and strangles her. Before she is quite dead Emilia arrives saying that Roderigo has killed Ca io. Though Des demon a says with her last breath that she died by her own hand, Othello maintains he killed her because she was mistre to Ca io. Emilia then explains the whole handkerchief busine , and as she does Montano comes in to report that Roderigo in dying has told of Iago’s plot. Iago escapes and Othello, seeing how he has wronged Des demon a, stabs himself. III. Synopses of Operas (Stories of the Operas) — P p