Product Details

• Actors: Plácido Domingo, Leo Nucci, Cesare Catani, Barbara Frittoli, Rossana Rinaldi
• Directors: Carlo Battistoni
• Format: Classical, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Tdk DVD Video
• DVD Release Date: October 21, 2003
• Run Time: 140 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000DG058
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,343 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Verdi - Otello / Muti, Domingo, Frittoli, Nucci, Ceron, La Scala" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

The Milan Otello traditionally opens the Scala season and did so in 2001 on 7 December, but at the same time it was the farewell production before the start of the three-year renovation of the house and not least a brilliant end to the Verdi Year. The audience as well as the press cheered Barbara Frittoli as a youthfully charming Desdemona, Leo Nucci as cleverly self-controlled Iago and Placido Domingo as a thrilling Otello, both from the dramatic and the singing point of view. Domingo had been the leading Moro di Venezi for a quarter of a century, and in Milan he said farewell to this role – "in triumph", according to ‘The Herald Tribune’.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the Best, August 28, 2005

By 

Z. Fu (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Verdi - Otello / Muti, Domingo, Frittoli, Nucci, Ceron, La Scala (DVD)

I have seen all four Domingo's Otello DVDs (this, Zeffirelli film version, Covent Garden, and Met). I can safely say this is overall the best.

The high quality of the performance is apparent from the opening storm scene. La Scala chorus and Muti's conducting are electrifying here. Muti whipped the "storm" into such a frenzy that one fears for the lives of those on the ship. In fact, I have never enjoyed the entire first act more.

Domingo is once again a phenomenal Moor. He sings like a man half of his age! His timber is secure and dark with a ringing top. Nucci is a true Verdian baritone. His Iago is nasty and brutal. Barbara Frittoli is not a submissive, soft, weak, weeping willow Desdemona that has been popularized by the likes of Te Kanawa, Fleming and Freni. This is a woman who challenges social conventions, and is not afraid to die for love.

Graham Vick's stage direction is right on the money. In the scene where Otello hides and eavesdrops on Cassio behind a partition (as in tradition), Vick has Domingo descend the stage which has been lifted up for the purpose. This underscores the subhuman state that jealousy has reduced Otello into. A masterstroke!

The performance is captured in rich color and Dolby digital 5.1 surround sound. I will be playing this DVD again and again for years to come.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars His Majesty: Placido Domingo, March 24, 2004

By 

Mark (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi - Otello / Muti, Domingo, Frittoli, Nucci, Ceron, La Scala (DVD)

This could be Domingo's last Otello, and for that alone, it is worth to have.

Is is better than previous ones? (i.e. Solti's at Covent Garden), well No and definitely not and this for many reasons.

This Otello has been recorded at la Scala in December 2001. To start, La Scala's directions falls far behind Covent Garden's in every aspect. The sets are monotoneous and really boring.

Frittoli's desdemona can't really be compared to Te Kanawa's. Frittoli is really an excellent actress, and also has a nice voice but it just couldn't fit well in here. It is said that her Desdemona at the Met was a success, but it wasn't as good in here.

Nucci's Iago is very nice. He sings like a true Verdian, getting away from all the vulgarity most Iagos follow. With age, he got a darker and darker voice which he uses nicely in this production.

Muti's Otello is one of the most exciting I have ever heard.

And now Domingo, with what has been said his last Otello (at 60 years old). Is he better than he was in Covent Garden about 10 years ago, well definitely not. He sings very quickly at high notes and tries to go slowly most of the time. Is this because of the age, well probably not. It just turned out that during these La Scala performances, he just wasn't at his best. At one performance he had to stop after Ora e per Sempre and excused himself to the audiance, and then had to cancel another performance. Despite all that, his rendition of Otello here is MAJESTIC. He owns the stage. Every "move" is exciting, and despite a rather hard 2nd act, he delivers extremely beautiful 3d and 4th act. His "Niun me Tema" is one of the most beautiful and most sincere in record.

To sum up, if you ever need an Otello on DVD, I would first recommend Domingo at Covent Garden and then at La Scala. Vicker's movie with Karajan has horrible syncro and acting, but very nice musically and some cuts.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Othello, February 15, 2008

By 

leelee (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi - Otello / Muti, Domingo, Frittoli, Nucci, Ceron, La Scala (DVD)

Domingo, Domingo, Domingo...what an incredible singer and actor. I've seen the other two Othellos and they are both marvellous. It's incredible how consistently good Domingo is in all three performances. This is definitely a great version to have in your opera collection. Personally, this is my favorite because I really like the way Barbara Frittoli portrays Desdemona. Her Desdemona is defiant and strong. Frittoli has terrific dramatic instincts and is a beautiful lady too. Frittoli plays Desdemona in an ever-increasing state of shock and disbelief which is far more credible than timid Desdemonas popularized by other sopranos. Watch the scene where Othello orders her to "cry" and down to the ground. Frittoli's Desdemona fights her pride and very reluctantly lies face down in the slime. In such a humiliating scene, Desdemona still retains her dignity. Now that's great acting! Frittoli definitely can be the next superstar soprano. Her voice is big and ripe - a gorgeous lyric spinto. I thought the costumes and sets were very nicely done. I'm not as interested in set design - ultimately, it's about the music! Highly recommended!