His trust in the treacherous Jago will lead to Otello’s betraying his captain, Cassio murdering his wife, Desdemona and turning the knife on himself. Otello is a Moorish general and leader of Venice’s presence in Cypress. The orchestra’s pandemonious opening as a battering storm brews upon Otello’s victorious voyage home signals that tumult will follow. Thanks to LVO for undertaking this glorious and important work and doing it justice. But these pieces are perhaps more subtle and a little less accessible than the direct and memorable melodies from Verdi’s more popular operas. It does, however, contain separable arias and ensembles of great complexity, beautiful music, and poignant emotion. Following Wagner’s innovation and unlike the Italian tradition that continued into the 20 th century, “Otello” employs a form of continuous music, with no breaks for applause. The other issue has to do with audience response to the structure and character of the music. Accordingly, the opera is hard to cast, thus less likely to be produced. The other two leads are also highly demanding. The easier to explain is that the title role is considered one of the most difficult tenor roles in the repertory – a serious voice-killer that most who might conquer the role won’t attempt until well into their careers. Given how superb this opera is, perhaps two reasons explain this sad anomaly. Livermore Valley Opera celebrates its 30 th Anniversary with its fine execution of this challenging work, proving once again that this mid-sized company can deliver a most compelling artistic product.ĭespite its musical and dramatic excellence, “Otello” has never achieved the audience popularity of “Aida” or Verdi’s great middle-period trio of “La Traviata,” “Il Trovatore,” or “Rigoletto,” which are among the most performed operas year after year.

Many feel the resulting “Otello” is the composer’s finest masterpiece and unquestionably in the pantheon of the greatest in all of opera. Sixteen years had passed since the premiere of “Aida,” Verdi’s penultimate tragedy, and the maestro clearly had time to adopt some of the new practices in opera composing, while honing his traditional skills.

Verdi opera with desdemona