Otello, Part I
(eVideo)

Originally released by Naxos Rights (Europe) Ltd., 2017.

Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on November 16, 2020.

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Verdi's penultimate opera, Otello was first performed in 1887. After the success of Aida, Verdi was reluctant to write another opera, and it took his publisher ten years to convince him to complete this opera. In Act I, Othello returns to Cyprus after a successful naval battle. Iago, Othello's friend and secret rival, executes plots to undermine him, including helping Roderigo to seduce Othello's wife, Desdemona, and getting Cassio - captain of Othello's navy - into a drunken brawl. In Act II, Iago convinces Cassio to ask Desdemona to help him back into Othello's good graces after the brawl. Iago sees Cassio approach Desdemona, and when Othello arrives, he uses the scene to suggest that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Othello demands proof. Meanwhile, Desdemona comes to Othello to petition on Cassio's behalf. Othello complains of a headache to avoid responding. Desdemona offers to wrap his head in her prized handkerchief he gave her, but Othello throws it away. Desdemona's handmaiden grabs the handkerchief and Iago steals it from her. Later, he uses the handkerchief to bait Othello, saying he got it from Cassio.

Streaming video file.

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