Gustavo Dudamel’s dark curls bounce.
Boito and Verdi’ adaptation of Shakespeare’s Otello is released from his baton like a wizards wand. With dynamism and rich textures, he brings forward some of the best singing I have ever heard.
It is the last day of school before winter break and I’m looking for some time away from students and administrators. To speak of villains, this opera has one of the best:
Iago.
Darth Vader wishes he had a monologue like the one he delivers. “I believe in a cruel god who created me like himself in anger of whom that I name… I am a son of evil.. I feel the primitive mud in me..and I think that man plays a game of unjust fate. The seed of the cradle is the worm of the grave… after all this foolishness comes death and then what… heaven is an old wives tale.”
The opera opens with some audio and projections for the storm, but then relaxes into a more traditional opera. The set feels modern, but modern thirty years ago. Clear smoky plexiglass. I’m neutral on it, but it doesn’t distract from the music so I’m happy.
This is Verdi at the height of his powers wringing the emotions out of Shakespeare’s words with the strength and practice of composing opera fifty years leading to this. To punctuate the very soul of regret that is the outcome of tragedy. Otello’s last words are “ancor’un bacio” – “One last kiss.”
Desdemona like Violetta from last weeks opera, deserves better.
So what is Otello all about? It begins with a raging storm. The title character who is general to Venice and governor to cyprus returns to the island by ship after a war with the Turks. A power hungry and bitter Iago plots to end Otello’s rule and to turn his inner circle against him. Iago maneuvers himself into second in command and from that position convinces Otello that his wife Desdemona is cheating on him with Casio. Will Otello continue to rule as the ‘lion of Venice,’ or will Iago’s plots set up a tragic ending.
Listen for:
The Willow Song at the end that interweaves memory, prayer, and resignation along with the violins might require tissues.
Notes on the production
______________________________
Composer………………………….. Giuseppe Verdi
Otello………………………………….. Stuart Skelton
Desdemona………………………… Sonya Yoncheva
Iago…………………………………..…. Zeljko Lucic
Cassio……………………………….…. Alexey Dogov
Montano………………………………. Jeff Mattsey
Conductor……………………….….. Gustavo Dudamel
Metropolitan Opera
12/21/18