Otello

Act I: The staging of Verdi’s penultimate opera is in Cyprus, at the end of the 15th century. In the service of Venice, Otello, the soldier, returns victoriously by ship to his home port. His adversary, Iago, plots revenge, after he feels spurned by the promotion of Cassius to the post of captain. He manages to incite Roderigo against Cassio, thus obtaining Cassio’s degradation. Act II: On the advice of Iago, Cassio asks Desdemona for advocacy through Otello. Iago succeeds in directing Otello’s suspicions to the conversation between Cassio and Desdemona, the result of which means that Desdemona’s subsequent request for the pardon of Cassio is abruptly rejected. As Desdemona tries to placate Otello, he ultimately throws the handkerchief she wants to tie around his head to the ground, which eventually comes into the possession of the intriguing Iago. Iago then further fosters Otello’s jealousy, in due course telling him of the handkerchief which Otello once gave to Desdemona, which now apparently belongs to Cassio. Otello thus swears revenge. Act III: Upon enquiry, it soon becomes clear to Otello that Desdemona is no longer in possession of the handkerchief he once gave to her – when she makes another intercession for Cassio, he furiously makes her leave. After this, he witnesses a conversation conducted by Iago with Cassio, which only further confirms Otello’s suspicions. Otello is soon instructed to return to Venice, while Cassio is to act as his deputy. The rage created by this message soon affects Desdemona, who is violently thrown to the ground by her husband. Act IV: Otello puts his plan to strangle Desdemona into action. A plan incited by Iago. lago’s perfidious intrigue finally comes to light, but it is already too late. Iago succeeds in escaping, and desperate, his undying love for Desdemona on his lips, Otello chooses suicide.