Product Details

• Actors: Hans Nocker, Christa Noack-Von Kamptz
• Format: Classical, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: View Video
• VHS Release Date: October 22, 1991
• Run Time: 121 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: 6300265625
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #508,665 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Opera in four acts
Libretto adapted by Arrigo Boito
Based on the Shakespeare play, Othello
World Premiere: Milan, La Scala, February 5, 1887
U.S. Premiere: New York, Academy of Music, April 16, 1888

The Berlin Komischer Opera conducted by Kurt Masur
Production directed by Walter Felsenstein
Sung in the German version

Verdi's "Otello" is something of a miracle in the history of opera, coming 16 years after "Aida," when Verdi was 74 years of age. Although many thought him to be retired and somewhat old-fashioned, "Otello" brought on a new style, full of vitality.

The story of an opera follows Shakespeare's tragic play closely, maintaining the dramatic qualities of the original, while taking the play's 3500 lines and condensing them under 800 for the opera. The role of Othello, extremely heavy and difficult for the tenor, and the equally difficult role of Iago, add an exciting virtuoso element to the dramatic tension.

Verdi's operatic masterpiece equals the level of one of the finest tragedies ever written. "Otello" has become a permanent part of the repertory of most opera companies, and it is rare when a performance is not completely sold out. "Otello" has been described as the "perfect" opera.

This one-of-a-kind feature film, directed by Walter Felsenstein, probably ranks as the definitive production of "Otello." It is a truly unique and spectacular performance of the Verdi opera with a cast of hundreds, telling the legendary story of the Moor, Othello, Desdemona and the jealous lago.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This is mostly in German!, July 8, 2001

By 

Richard Burt - See all my reviews

This review is from: Otello [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This video, made in 1969, not 1987, is not all that bad as an attempt to film an opera. The acting is generally decent too. But the sound is awful, and, after the first twenty minutes, the language changes from the Italian to German. There are no subtitles throughout. The film was made with the Berlin Comic Opera orchestra and conducted by Kurt Masur. None of the singers is well-known. Unless you are an Otello on video and DVD collector, I would avoid this one at all costs.