Join us for the latest ‘A Note on Opera’ lecture as we look at Verdi’s “Otello.”
Verdi’s lifelong adoration of Shakespeare culminated in his 1887 masterpiece “Otello,” arguably the greatest of all Italian operas. With the deft touch of librettist Arrigo Boïto, Verdi streamlines Shakespeare’s “Othello” to focus laser-like on the evolving tragedy of Otello being manipulated into killing his wife Desdemona.
In “Otello,” Verdi finally achieves a seamless musical language, without drawing any attention to its Italianate conventions, while incorporating the Austro-German musical tradition to give “Otello’s” score a symphonic sweep. In essence, the orchestra itself becomes a character.
To be taught in English by David Kerr, no pre-existing musical knowledge required.
Admission: $20.00 members, $25.00 non-members
