Grange Park Opera

A seaport in Cyprus 

Act 1  

During a violent storm, Otello, the Governor of Cyprus and General of the Venetian forces, returns from a battle in which he has defeated the Turks. He is acclaimed as a hero.

Roderigo, a young Venetian gentleman, is in love with Otello’s new wife, Desdemona. Iago, Otello’s ensign, bears a grudge against Otello who has promoted his lieutenant, Cassio, to the rank of captain – a position which Iago believes should have been his.

Iago promises to help Roderigo win Desdemona.

The victory festivities begin and Iago proposes a toast to Otello and Desdemona’s marriage. Iago plans to create chaos and plies Cassio with drink. Cassio brawls with Montano, the ex–Governor of Cyprus and confusion spreads.

Otello bursts in. The disturbance has woken his new wife. He angrily strips Cassio of his rank.

Alone, Otello and Desdemona sing of their courtship, of Otello’s bravery in battle, and his dangerous and violent past.

They pray their love will be eternal.

Act 2 

Iago assures Cassio that he will soon win back his rank. It is Desdemona who must intercede with Otello on his behalf.

Alone, Iago voices his creed: he is driven, not by a desire for revenge, but by his belief in a cruel God who has created Man in his own image to do evil.

Cassio is speaking to Desdemona when Otello arrives, and seeds of suspicion are sown in his mind. He questions Iago who skirts around the facts with obvious discomfort arousing Otello’s suspicions further.

Iago warns Otello of the danger of jealousy.

Desdemona is serenaded by well–wishers. She talks to Otello about Cassio’s dismissal. Surprised by her husband’s irritability, she placates him, binding his aching head with her handkerchief. Otello throws it aside and Iago’s wife, Emilia, picks it up – innocently.

Desdemona begs Otello to forgive her for whatever it is that has upset him.

Iago takes the handkerchief from Emilia. He will plant it amongst Cassio’s possessions. The poison is at work.

Otello imagines Desdemona with Cassio; both his love and his glorious career are finished. Feigning sympathy, Iago tells him that he has overheard Cassio sleep–talking about his love for Desdemona. Roused to a rage, Otello demands proof.

Iago says he saw Cassio holding Desdemona’s handkerchief. Otello swears vengeance.

Act 3

Ambassadors from Venice arrive.

Iago again urges Otello to remain on guard and observe his wife with Cassio. Desdemona pleads with him once more to forgive Cassio. Feigning illness, Otello asks for the handkerchief. She cannot find it. He warns her it has the powers to bring bad luck if lost or given away. Desdemona assumes this is a ploy to deflect the question of Cassio’s reinstatement.

In a furious rage, Otello accuses Desdemona of being unfaithful. Her protestations of innocence fall on deaf ears.

Calling her a common whore, he violently rejects her.

Iago jokes with Cassio about his sweetheart, Bianca, Otello overhears the laughter but not their words. Cassio is mystified by the appearance of the handkerchief at his lodgings. Iago likens its fine weave to a spider’s web ensnaring Cassio’s heart.

Otello’s worst fears are confirmed. Desdemona must be killed. Otello rewards Iago by promoting him to the rank of captain.

The Venetian ambassadors, led by Lodovico, bring a decree from the Doge: Otello has been recalled to Venice, and Cassio will be Governor of Cyprus.

Otello publicly insults Desdemona. Iago quietly tells Otello he will arrange for Cassio to be murdered and enlists Roderigo.

Otello dismisses everyone and curses his wife.

Iago exults in his demonic triumph.

Act 4 

Emilia is helping Desdemona prepare for bed.

Desdemona sings an old song, the Song of the Willow, about a girl abandoned by her lover. She bids Emilia good-night, and prays to the Virgin.

Otello enters and kisses the sleeping Desdemona. As she wakes, he tells her she must repent of her sins before she dies: she is Cassio’s lover and gave him the handkerchief. Desdemona cries out for Cassio to testify to her innocence and Otello informs her that Cassio is dead. She begs to be allowed to live for a little longer.

Otello kills her.

Emilia is at the door with news that Cassio has killed Roderigo. Desdemona is still alive, gasping for her last breaths.

Emilia realises that Otello has murdered her as a result of Iago’s deceptions. She raises the alarm; the vile truth is discovered.

Otello mourns Desdemona and laments her beauty and goodness. He kills himself.