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Synopsis

SYNOPSIS

Act I
Unlike the opening of Shakespeare’s Othello with devious Iago and Roderigo in

whispers, Verdi skips the prelude and jolts us into the storm scene in full hell and fury. The tutti

eleventh chord hurles the chorus into fast syncopations. This all sets the scene for the opening of

the opera not in Venice, but in Cyprus. Otello, a moor general of the Venetians and ruler Cyprus,

is still at sea returning from a battle with the Turks. A large crowd awaits the Venetian lion’s

return with hoping for victorious news. Just as galleys are spotted through the mass of

trumpeting claps of thunder and lightening, a group of Cyproits exclaim ‘Una vela!’ (‘A sail!’)

Montano sees Otello’s ship and exclaims the ‘winged lion’s’ return- ‘E l’alato ben’. The

Dies-Irae like trumpeting of the horns and tutti chorus sound like cannons in fury with “Lampi!

tuoni! gorghi” ( ‘Lightning! thunder! whirlpools!)

Ex.1 Opening Atto Primo

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Ex. 2 ‘Una Vela’, ‘E l’alato Leon’, ‘Lampi! Tuoni! Gorghi!

Verdi presents judgement-day like trumpets, cornets, and trombones which excite the chorus into

a brief melodic fortissimo prayer for Otello’s safe return to shore, ‘Dio, fulgor della bufera!’

(God, you the splendour amidst the storm!) Amongst the frenzy on shore, villainous

Iago-Otello’s ensign a who secretly hates him, in a private moment to rejoices with the love

stricken Roderigo that Otello’s ship has been destroyed, “L’alvo...Frenetico del mar sia la sua

tomba!’ (‘May the frenetic ocean-bed be his tomb!’) Their rejoicing is interrupted by the chorus
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announcing Otello’s safety-’E salvo!’ In full glory Otello’s opening lines proclaim Venetian

victory over the Turks aided by heaven itself-’Esultate! L’orgoglio musulmano sepolto e in

mar...’ Not only has the battle been victorious, but Otello declares his own heroic status. Hiis

next entrance towards the end of the act is by no means that of a character whose existence or

whose nature the audience has forgotten completely or in part. The crowd rejoices in refrains of

‘Eviva! Eviva! Vittoria!’

Example 3. Otello ‘Esultate! L’orgoglio musilmano...

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Followed by his captain Cassio and general Montano, Otello enters the castle. Iago and Roderigo

are left amongst the tableau crowd that echo the victorious chorus which ends the storm

scene-‘Vittoria! Vittoria!) The storm has died away and people prepare a bonfire. Heavy-hearted

Roderigo just as he is about to leave, is tapped on the shoulder by Iago for offside whispers. We

then learn of Roderigo’s infatuation with Otello’s wife, Desdemona. In the play, Iago comforts
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the disappointed suitor by saying, ‘Fear not...she will soon grow weary of her thick-lipped

savage’. In the opera, this is represented by his diabolical melody, ‘Se un fragil voto...Di

femmina’ (‘If a fragile, feminine vow’). In a darker recitative, Iago continues revealing his

hatred for Otello.

Example 4. Iago ‘Se un fragil voto..’

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Iago observes the captain, Cassio, who emerges from an inn with young women on his arm. In a

stroke of villainous genius, Iago who is jealous of Cassio because of his rank, formulates his plan

to destroy both Cassio and ‘the moor’. He sneers in a serpentine-like line punctuated with a final

trill-(‘Ed io rimango...Di sua Moresca signoria l’alfiere!’) At this time, he pulls Roderigo to the

side to tell him of his devious plan that the audience is not fully aware of until Act two. By an act

of Verdian irony and Boitian word play, a violent allegro and tutti chorus interrupt Iago’s malice

whispers again with, ‘Fuoco di gioia l’ilare vampa!’ (‘Fire the joy merry flame!’) The orchestra’s

triplet sequences create a legato that juxtapose that staccato vocal lines.

Well after the fire has burnt out, back at the inn Iago, Roderigo, and Cassio have returned

for a night of celebration. Iago takes advantage of the moment to put his plan to instigate a

drunken fight into action. Iago calls upon Roderigo to fetch more wine for Cassio (Roderigo,

beviam!). Cassio protests that he has had enough wine. Iago goads him into drinking more by

toasting the marriage of Otello and Desdemona to which Roderigo also squirms with envy.

Cassio praises Desdemona's radiance as Iago tells Roderigo to beware of Cassio- ‘Un altro sorso
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e brillo egli e....’ (‘He will get in your path. If he gets drunk, well, he is lost! Make him drink.’)

Iago begins the brindisi-’Prima che svampino canto e bicchier’. Roderigo continues Iago’s

pestering and keeps filling Cassio's cup. The crowd joins in laughter with the lively song as Iago

and Roderigo succeed - Cassio becomes drunk. Iago tells Roderigo to start a quarrel with Cassio-

’Egli e brinco fradicio. Ti scuoti, lo trascina a contesa; e pronot all’ira, t’offendera...’.

Example 5. Iago’s persuasion and Brindisi (next page)

Montano arrives to escort Cassio to his turn at guarding the castle. Cassio staggers toward

Montano who inquires, "What do I see?" Iago retorts that Cassio is like this every evening.

Montano says that Otello should be informed of this. Roderigo laughs at Cassio, who charges
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him as the two trade insults. Montano separates them, but is drawn into the brawl by Cassio. The

crowd also joins in the foray as sword fights and general mayhem becomes the rule of thumb.

Iago commands Roderigo to spread confusion and horror through the harbor. Iago then calls for

the fighting to end. Montano is wounded as alarms sound and the chaos spreads.

Otello bursts upon the scene, commanding everyone to drop their weapons (Abbasso… le

spade!). He asks Iago to explain what has happened. Iago claims ignorance and adds, "I would

rather have lost my legs than have them carry me to this sight." Otello turns on Cassio and asks

how he could have forgotten himself so. He offers no explanation and instead asks for pardon.

Otello discovers that Montano has been wounded. His anger increases. Desdemona enters as

Otello strips Cassio of his rank. Iago declares triumph as Otello orders him to restore peace to the

village. He then orders the area cleared immediately.

The scene empties and Verdi begins one of the most expansive love duets he wrote. The duet is

divided into four main sections.

Example 6. Love Duet (next page continued)

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Otello declares that silence has finally arrived (Già nella notte densa). He rejoices in the embrace

of his spouse and her love for him. Desdemona praises her superb warrior. She also remembers

the lonely evenings apart and rejoices in their embrace. The duet turns to talk of their courtship

(Quando narravi). Otello describes the battles he had told her about. She adds also of the time he

spent as a slave. Desdemona praises him for the dangers he survived and Otello says he loved her

for it. The mood changes as Otello is caught up in the ecstasy of the moment (Venga la morte!).

They both pray that their love will be eternal. Otello asks for a kiss and yet another kiss with an

‘Il bacio’ motif that returns again in a darker context in the final act.They retire slowly to the

castle, arm in arm as the curtain slowly descends.

Act 2
The scene opens to Iago consoling Cassio (Non ti crucciar). Iago tells him to trust him

and he will once again bask in the presence of Mistress Bianca. He convinces Cassio that

Desdemona is the only means to get reinstated. He tells Cassio to wait for Desdemona in the

garden as it is her custom to rest there every day at noon. Iago sends him off prophesying his

end.

Alone, Iago tells us of his beliefs (Credo in un Dio crudel). "God is cruel and man was created in

his image. And when man dies? Then what? Heaven is an old wives tale!"

Desdemona enters the garden and begins talking with Cassio. Iago wishes Otello here and

calls upon Satan to assist his plot. Otello enters as Iago mutters to himself, "I like it not" (Ciò

m'accora). Otello asks if it was Cassio talking with his wife to which Iago responds that it could
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not have been. "That man left like one with a guilty conscience." Iago asks if when in courtship

with Desdemona, did Cassio know her? Otello answers yes and reveals that Cassio would often

carry gifts to Desdemona for him. Otello questions Iago's opinion of Cassio's honesty. Iago skirts

around the question with obvious discomfort arousing Otello's suspicions further. Otello

demands Iago reveal his thoughts and to not hold anything back. Iago quietly warns Otello to

beware of jealousy (Temete, signor, la gelosia!). Otello cries that false accusations benefit no

one. After proof of the doubt comes time for Otello's supreme law. Iago warns that he has no

proof, but to remain on guard. One word can mean guilt or innocence.

They are interrupted by the voices of women, children and sailors who surround

Desdemona offering her flowers and gifts (Dove guardi splendono). Taken by the beauty of their

song and the beauty of the scene, Otello remarks that she cannot be false. Iago warns Otello to

watch her

closely. Even though he is also taken by the scene, he quietly vows to shatter Otello's world.

Desdemona leaves the adoring crowd to come to Otello. "I bring a petition for pardon

from Cassio" (D'un uom che geme). Otello asks if it was Cassio whom she was just talking with.

She replies that it was and insists that Cassio's remorse is real enough to warrant forgiveness.

Otello indicates not now. Desdemona, however persists asking why he sounds upset. Otello

replies that his head hurts. She begins to bind his head, but he throws the handkerchief to the

floor which Emilia picks up. Desdemona expresses concern only to be told once again to leave

him alone. Desdemona realizes something is wrong and in a beautiful phrase, she asks to be
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forgiven for whatever sin she may have committed against him (Se inconscia, contro te). Otello

blames Desdemona's alleged affair on his growing old and the color of his skin. Iago orders

Emilia to hand over the handkerchief. She refuses, knowing he is up to something. Iago ends up

taking it from her by force. Desdemona leaves without knowing the reason for Otello's rage. Iago

warns Emilia to be silent.

Left alone, Otello begins to consider the accusation (Desdemona rea!). While Iago

observes Otello, he reveals the handkerchief must be hidden in Cassio's lodgings. "Thus it will

provide the proof of the sin." As Otello's agitation begins to increase, Iago cynically says his

poison has begun to work. Iago tells Otello not to think about it any longer. Otello explodes,

ordering Iago away from him (Tu? Indietro! fuggi!). Otello then wonders if he ever had a

premonition of what was occuring while he was away. Otello bids a farewell to his glory, battles

and subsequently his sanity (Ora e per sempre addio).

Iago tries to calm Otello, but is thrown to the floor and choked by Otello. Otello releases him and

he turns as if to go. He then resigns his commission calling upon the world to see his reward for

honesty. Otello comes to his senses and asks Iago to remain, suggesting perhaps he is honest.

Otello's rage returns as he believes Desdemona true and yet false. He believes Iago to be true and

yet false also. Otello calls for certain proof as Iago wonders what the proof could be. "Perhaps -

to see them embrace?" At this, Otello becomes even more enraged as Iago goes on to comment

on the difficulty of arranging this and relates a story.

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Cassio and Iago were sharing sleeping quarters when Cassio, in the midst of a dream, began to

talk (Era la notte). "We must hide our feelings Sweet Desdemona." The dream grew more

passionate as Cassio added, "I curse the fate that sent you to that Moor!" Iago adds, "It was but a

dream." "A dream that exposes fact," Otello counters. Iago adds that the dream can substantiate

other evidence. He then asks if Otello has seen in Desdemona's possession a handkerchief of

exquisite beauty embroidered with flowers. Otello answers it was the first gift he gave to

Desdemona as a token of his love. Iago reveals that he saw that same handkerchief yesterday in

Cassio's hand! Otello's rage reaches a new peak as he calls upon God to give Cassio a thousand

lives, "…for one is not enough to vent my anger upon." (Ah! Mille vite gli donasse Iddio!).

Otello swears off love and calls for blood. He vows on bended knee to get his vengance(Sì, pel

ciel marrmoreo guiro!). Iago joins him, also on bended knee, pledging his support. Otello turns

as if to leave, but points to

Iago with an expression that conveys warning: "Don't mislead me or you will pay the

consequences." The curtain falls swiftly.

Act 3

Otello and Iago are talking when a Herald approaches to report that the Venetian

Ambassador's ship has been sighted. The Herald leaves and Iago tells Otello of his plan to lead

Cassio into gossiping. He will hide Otello so he can hear and observe what occurs. Before

leaving, Iago reminds OOtello to be patient and remember the handkerchief. Otello angrily

retorts that he could not forget it.

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Desdemona enters with a warm greeting for Otello (Dio ti giocondi). Otello takes her

hand and upon examining it, comments on it's beauty. Desdemona reminds him it was this hand

that gave him her heart. Otello appears calm and composed. This is not to last as Desdemona

once again mentions Cassio. Otello tells her his head aches again, "Bind my forehead." She

offers a handkerchief, but he rejects it demanding the one he first gave to her. Desdemona fails to

produce it and Otello's mood becomes quiet and dark. He explains that to lose it or give it away

means terrible misfortune. He asks where it is and demands she fetch it at once. Desdemona

thinks it is Otello's way of deflecting the issue of Cassio's pardon.

Otello's anger reaches the first of many peaks as he demands the handkerchief at once.

Once again, she asks for Otello to pardon Cassio declaring, "There is rage in his voice." Otello

seizes Desdemona and forces her to look him in the eye. "Who are you?" he asks. "The faithful

wife of Otello!" She responds. He tells her to, "Swear it and damn yourself." She calls upon

Otello to believe her and for God to help her. She feels his fury, but does not understand it. In

beautiful phrases, Desdemona prays to heaven and adds how much she suffers for him. Otello

declares if her demon were to see her now, he would think her an angel. She responds that

heaven sees her honesty and asks for justice. She wonders if she is the cause of his grief asking,

"What is my fault?"

Otello calmly declares that she is a vile courtesan. She replies she is not, adding that she

was baptized in the Christian faith. Otello suddenly changes to an ironic quiet and asks for her

hand once more. He takes it and asks to make amends, declaring he thought she was the cunning

whore who married Otello.

The music becomes agitated as he leads Desdemona to the door and sends her away. It
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then quiets almost as quickly and Otello's mood changes to one of utter dejection. He asks of

God, "Why have you afflicted me in this manner?" (Dio! mi potevi scagliar)He works himself

into another fit of rage declaring Desdemona will confess her sins and then die! He begins

shouting for proof when Iago bursts in to report Cassio is headed their way. Iago hides Otello

with a plea to control himself. Cassio arrives and Iago engages him in conversation (Vieni l'aula

e deserta). We can only hear fragments of conversation; just enough to condemn Desdemona.

Cassio mentions her by name, saying that he wants to speak to her about his pardon. Iago says to

wait for her here. He then asks Cassio about Bianca at which Cassio laughs. Otello sees this and

thinks they are speaking of Desdemona and mocking him. He asks God to restrain his rage. Iago

asks Cassio to speak quietly as he leads him further from Otello's hiding place. Cassio asks if

Iago knows his lodging. Otello thinks he is telling Iago how, where and when Cassio was last

with Desdemona. Otello remarks he cannot hear everything and adds, "What have I become?"

Cassio relates finding the handkerchief in his room. Iago beckons Otello closer. Cassio

wishes he knew to whom it belonged. Iago asks to see the handkerchief. Making sure he has

Otello's attention, he takes the cloth from Cassio and waves it for Otello to see. Otello declares it

is his and swears off love and pain. "Nothing will touch my soul again!" Iago teases Cassio about

admiring the cloth too much and getting enmeshed in a spider's web. Cassio continues to praise

the enchanting cloth as Otello declares, "Treason! I finally have my proof!"

Trumpets and cannon fire from outside the castle announce the Venetian ships arrival.

Iago sends Cassio on his way lest he should run into Otello. Left alone with Iago, Otello inquires

how he should kill Desdemona. Iago ignores his question for a moment, instead asking if Otello

heard the laughter and saw the handkerchief. Otello replies that he saw everything. Otello
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declares that, "Desdemona is condemned." He tells Iago to get him a poison for that very

evening. Iago replies, no, thinking it better to, "Strangle her in the bed she desecrated. As for

Cassio, Iago will provide." Otello likes the idea and promotes him to Captain. Otello sends Iago

after Desdemona - the better to keep up appearances. The lights go down on the scene as

trumpets announce the Venetian Ambassadors arrival.

They come back up on the same setting; however, this time the stage is full of Cypriots,

dignitaries and soldiers. The chorus breaks into cheer and praise for Otello once again (Viva il

Leon di San Marco!). Lodivico delivers a parchment to Otello declaring it to be from the Doge.

He then turns to Desdemona asking if God is keeping her. She answers yes, as she turns to

Emilia and comments on the dark cloud hanging over Otello and her destiny. Iago joins the

group and greets Lodivico who asks where Cassio is. Iago counters he is in Otello's displeasure

at the moment. Desdemona adds that she feels he will return to Otello's good will soon. Otello,

as if he is reading the parchment, asks , "Are you sure of this?" Desdemona asks what he said

and Lodovico replies that Otello was reading. Iago adds that Cassio may well return to grace.

Desdemona reminds them of the affection she bears Cassio. Otello, under his breath, tells her to

stop babbling. Desdemona asks Otello to repeat what he said, and he makes a menacing gesture

toward her. He tells her, "Demon, Silence!" Lodovico restrains Otello, commenting, "I cannot

believe what I am seeing and hearing." Otello calls for Cassio to Iago's surprise and then tells

Iago to watch Desdemona when Cassio arrives. Lodovico inquires of Iago, "So this is the superb

warrior?" Iago shrugs and replies, "He is what he is." Lodovico asks what he means. Iago walks

away saying, "It is better to keep quiet." Otello sees Cassio arriving and tells Iago to search

Cassio's soul.
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Otello begins to relate the message to all when, under his breath, he tells Desdemona she

is acting exceedingly well. The message is that Otello has been recalled to Venice and his

successor as governor is Cassio. This upsets Iago who comments, "Hell and death." Cassio bows

to Otello and says he will obey the law. Otello quietly says to Iago, "See, the scoundrel does not

seem excited!" As he is announcing his departure the next day, he once again turns on

Desdemona: "Continue weeping." Lodovico points out Desdemona's heartbreak when Otello

seizes her and throws her to the ground exclaiming, "On your knees and weep!" Desdemona, on

her knees begins an ensemble with each of the following expressing their own feelings and

thoughts (A terra.. sì.. nel livido fango) (3).

Act 4

After a brief orchestral prelude, Emilia asks Desdemona if Otello was calmer (Era più

calmo?). She replies that he seemed so, adding that he asked her to go to bed and wait for him.

She asks Emilia to get her bridal gown and lay it on the bed. She asks Emilia to make sure she is

buried in it when she dies. Desdemona then tells her of her mother's maid, Barbara (Mia madre

aveva). Barbara, it seems, was beautiful and in love with a man who jilted her. She used to sing

'The Willow Song." Emilia begins to brush Desdemona's hair as she sings the song (Piangea

cantando). They are interrupted by a noise that Emilia says is the blowing wind. Desdemona bids

Emilia to leave and before Emilia can, Desdemona calls her back for an ardent embrace. Emilia

reluctantly leaves. Desdemona kneels before an image of the Madonna and intones a beautiful

prayer (Ave Maria). She rises after a few moments and slips into bed.

Otello enters. He looks at Desdemona and extinguishes the candles. He goes to the bed
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and to the music from the first act love duet, kisses her three times. On the third kiss, she awakes

and asks who is there. Otello admits it is he and asks if she has prayed yet. He adds that if she

has anything to confess, that she should do it now. She asks why and he replies that he would not

want to kill her soul. It is at this point that she realizes he means it. Desdemona wonders if her

sin is her love of Otello, "Is this why you are going to kill me?" Otello replies, "You love Cassio!

You gave him the handkerchief I gave to you." Desdemona cries out for Cassio to come and

testify to her innocence. Otello quietly informs her of Cassio's death. She begs Otello to let her

live for a while longer. But, it is to no avail as Otello strangles her.

We hear a knocking at the door, which Otello does not acknowledge. He looks at

Desdemona and observes she is quiet as the grave (Calma come la tomba) . Emilia once again

knocks and this time is admitted. Otello asks what has happened only to be told that Cassio has

killed Roderigo. Otello inquires after Cassio and Emilia tells him that Cassio lives. Otello's anger

resurges. Desdemona, on the verge of death declares, "Unjustly murdered!" Emilia finds

Desdemona and asks who has done this to her. Desdemona answers, "No one, myself." She then

asks Emilia to commend her to the Lord, and expires. Otello states, "O Liar!! I killed her because

she was the mistress of Cassio. Iago can back this up." Incredulously, Emilia asks if Otello

believed him. Otello answers yes and makes a threatening gesture toward her. She runs

screaming from the room that, "Otello's killed Desdemona!"

Lodovico, Iago, Cassio, Montano and guards enter the room exclaiming their horror at

the sight of the dead Desdemona. Emilia calls upon Iago to disprove Otello's belief that

Desdemona was unfaithful. Iago counters that he believed her so. Otello tells of the handkerchief

being in possession of Cassio. Emilia ignores Iago's command of silence and tells of Iago taking
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it from her by force. Cassio adds that he found it in his house. Montano points to Iago and

reports the dying Roderigo revealed the whole plot of Iago. Otello calls upon Iago to disprove

the charges to which Iago responds: "NO!" Iago leaves followed by the guards who are ordered

to stop him.

Picking up his scimitar, Otello asks if anything else will fall on him from heaven. Lodovico steps

forward and demands he surrender his sword. Otello threatens him and launches into the Death

of Otello (Niun mi tema). He surrenders the scimitar and goes to Desdemona lying on the bed.

He laments her beauty and her passing. He draws another dagger from his robe and stabs

himself. Dying, he crawls to Desdemona and to the music from Act I, and kisses her. He asks for

another and yet another kiss. He collapses and expires onto the bed. Solemn chords close the

scene.1

1
All synopsis material provided by: "Otello." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Apr. 2001. Web. 30 Apr.
2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otello>, Hepokoski, James A. Giuseppe Verdi, Otello. Cambridge:
Cambridge UP, 1987. Print., and Parker, Stephen L. "Otello: Synopsis." Opera Standford. OperaGlass, 8
Dec. 2003. Web. 30 Apr. 2014. <http://opera.stanford.edu/Verdi/Otello/synopsis.html>.