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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Verdi's opera Otello is based on William Shakespeare's play Othello.
It tells the story of a Moorish general named Otello (Placido Domingo), who has recently returned from war. His wife Desdemona (Kiri Te Kanawa), is very beautiful. Iago (Sergei Leiferkus) offers to help the young nobleman Roderigo(Ramon Remedios) to seduce her, because Iago is furious with Otello, for appointing Cassio(Robin Leggate)captain of the navy, instead of him.
Iago pressures Cassio into drinking alcohol and he becomes drunk. Desdemona awakes due to the noise and Otello demotes Cassio. Iago suggests that Cassio should speak to Desdemona about his demotion as she has influence over Otello. As he speaks to her, Iago tells Otello that Desdemona is being unfaithful. Otello becomes jealous and the opera ends in tragedy.
Placido Domingo was outstanding. His voice is incredibly brilliant and this is one of his best roles. As well as having a phenomenal voice, his acting was great. His performance alone makes this production worth buying.
Kiri te Kanawa also gave a tremendous performance. Her voice is incredibly beautiful, making the audience feel sorry for her characters doomed fate. Her rendition of The Willow Song towards the end of the opera is stunning. Sergei Leiferkus was terrific as the trouble making Iago, his voice menacing and powerful.
Wonderful singers and brilliant composition, this opera is a masterpiece and so is this production.
It tells the story of a Moorish general named Otello (Placido Domingo), who has recently returned from war. His wife Desdemona (Kiri Te Kanawa), is very beautiful. Iago (Sergei Leiferkus) offers to help the young nobleman Roderigo(Ramon Remedios) to seduce her, because Iago is furious with Otello, for appointing Cassio(Robin Leggate)captain of the navy, instead of him.
Iago pressures Cassio into drinking alcohol and he becomes drunk. Desdemona awakes due to the noise and Otello demotes Cassio. Iago suggests that Cassio should speak to Desdemona about his demotion as she has influence over Otello. As he speaks to her, Iago tells Otello that Desdemona is being unfaithful. Otello becomes jealous and the opera ends in tragedy.
Placido Domingo was outstanding. His voice is incredibly brilliant and this is one of his best roles. As well as having a phenomenal voice, his acting was great. His performance alone makes this production worth buying.
Kiri te Kanawa also gave a tremendous performance. Her voice is incredibly beautiful, making the audience feel sorry for her characters doomed fate. Her rendition of The Willow Song towards the end of the opera is stunning. Sergei Leiferkus was terrific as the trouble making Iago, his voice menacing and powerful.
Wonderful singers and brilliant composition, this opera is a masterpiece and so is this production.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Legendary tenor Placido Domingo gives the definitive performance as Otello. As well as ringing tone, his voice has the desired body and warmth, while his acting is head and shoulders better than other tenors in this role. Kiri te Kanawa is also recorded in her prime and the two are incredible together. Sergei Leferkus is, however, only adequate and lacks the Italianate style need for such a key role. The Royal Opera House is, as always superb, while Sir George Solti ensures that it is a performance that will live in the memory.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
A marvellous production with outstanding cast and lively conducting.
Otello needs a great singer who can act and no-one owns this role like Placido Domingo. I couldn't live with this opera on CD (also Domingo, cond. Chung) but seeing and hearing Otello's soul poisoned by Iago's slime is so much more involving. Domingo's expressions of despair and shock are very moving. Iago is suitably malicious in the capable hands of Leiferkus, and Te Kamawa sings beautifully and never overacts as Desdemona - although I thought her lamenting and praying in Act 4 would never end.
For once, the realities of staged theatre add to the experience of watching a recorded relay on a TV set; the conditions seem to concentrate everyone's attention admirably. No gimmicks, just theatricality. The presence of Charles and Diana in the audience is the ironic crowning touch.
Solti, who I don't normally like, conducts a thrilling if occasionally whiplash rendition of the score. I was fascinated by what sounded like hints of Wagner's Parsifal in Verdi's score.
Recommended for repeated viewing.
Otello needs a great singer who can act and no-one owns this role like Placido Domingo. I couldn't live with this opera on CD (also Domingo, cond. Chung) but seeing and hearing Otello's soul poisoned by Iago's slime is so much more involving. Domingo's expressions of despair and shock are very moving. Iago is suitably malicious in the capable hands of Leiferkus, and Te Kamawa sings beautifully and never overacts as Desdemona - although I thought her lamenting and praying in Act 4 would never end.
For once, the realities of staged theatre add to the experience of watching a recorded relay on a TV set; the conditions seem to concentrate everyone's attention admirably. No gimmicks, just theatricality. The presence of Charles and Diana in the audience is the ironic crowning touch.
Solti, who I don't normally like, conducts a thrilling if occasionally whiplash rendition of the score. I was fascinated by what sounded like hints of Wagner's Parsifal in Verdi's score.
Recommended for repeated viewing.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Disappointing
I bought this opera more for Kiri, but she's not in it as much as I would have liked. I knew the story, but I didn't realise how simply frustrating the whole thing would be. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Nigley
Splendid
After seeing an interview with Placido Domingo on TV decided to order this item as a treat. I was not disappointed. The singing of both Placido and Kiri te Kanawa are sublime. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2010 by C. Thorne
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