The purest amorous relationship can transform into a murderous obsession through the arousal of misguided feelings of jealousy: The highest human emotion reduced to a lethal weapon at a stroke. Othello experiences his love and loyalty with such passion that it becomes his Achilles' heel.

Today, we are afraid of emotions of this magnitude. Othello, recognising his mortal sin, accepts his own death. Yet Iago, who emerged victorious through treachery, remains among us.

Verdi began composing the opera in the final months of 1884, completing the work within a year. It was then that he decided to name the opus after Othello rather than Iago as “Iago is the demon who moves everything, but Othello is the one who acts”.

The Shakespearean original gives the requisite time and opportunity for jealousy to slowly take root, but the story unfolds much faster in this opera. The Othello of the opera reacts angrily and immediately to Iago's initial insinuations, and by the end of the second act, the cancer of revenge has already spread in his mind.

The libretto is essentially written for two, with the Desdemona of the opera portrayed as virginal and loyal. Although she relegated to the periphery, her presence is always keenly felt.

Date: 20 January 2012
Time: 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm
Venue: Festival Theatre

Music: Verdi, Richárd Riederauer

Prices: 1700, 2500, 3000 Ft"

Source: Palace of Arts
Addrees: Budapest, IX district, Komor Marcell u. 1.
Tel: 555-3000