Product Details

• Actors: Plácido Domingo, Kiri Te Kanawa, Sergei Leiferkus, Claire Powell, Robin Leggate
• Directors: Brian Large
• Writers: Arrigo Boito, William Shakespeare
• Producers: Jane Pleydell-Bouverie, Revel Guest
• Format: Classical, Color, NTSC
• Subtitles: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Kultur Video
• VHS Release Date: February 27, 1997
• Run Time: 147 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304364350
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #303,144 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For those who want a home video that preserves the kind of treatment Verdi's Otello gets in a first-class international opera house, this Solti-Domingo-Te Kanawa production from Covent Garden looks like the best bet. Neither Georg Solti's conducting nor Elijah Moshinsky's stage direction pulls any punches; this is presented clearly and forcefully as a drama of jealousy (Iago's and Otello's) destroying innocence (Otello's and Desdemona's), in which a military man from a primitive background is plunged into situations and perplexities that his life has not prepared him to handle.

What matters most is the casting of the three leading roles. When this production was taped in 1992, Plácido Domingo and Kiri Te Kanawa were the Otello and Desdemona of choice, and in this production they show why with effective singing and strong characterization. Sergei Leiferkus is, on the whole, a convincing villain, but not quite on the level of the two stars. The orchestra and chorus are outstanding.

Otello was even more spectacularly represented in a 1986 film also using Domingo in the title role. It was directed by Franco Zeffirelli with more concern for visual and emotional impact than for operatic fidelity and, as such, must be judged as a movie, not as an opera in the traditional format. I would not want to be without that unique vision of Verdi's masterpiece, though his cavalier treatment of the music (most notably his omission of the beloved "Willow Song") has alienated many hard-core opera lovers. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Could this be this the best overall stereo Otello?, May 19, 2002

By 

R. J. Claster "rjclaster" (Van Nuys, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Verdi - Otello / Solti, Domingo, Te Kanawa, Royal Opera Covent Garden (DVD)

Otello has always been among my favorite operas. The first time I heard it was as a boy listening to my parent's Toscanini recording. While I am aware that there are those who regard this as a reference, I will withhold comment since I have not heard it for decades. However, in addition to this DVD, I have the Von Karajan film on DVD, and on CD, the first recordings of Domingo and Vickers, both on RCA, and Von Karajan's 1960s Decca recording with Del Monaco and Tebaldi. What for me separates this recording from the others is that it possesses a truly gripping sense of theatricality from all the principals involved. In contrast to the other recordings I have mentioned, this is a live rather than a studio production, and although I would not argue this automatically makes it better (assuming, of course, a comparable level of quality in vocal and instrumental execution), there exists the potential to reach a more transcendent level of intensity and involvement over what is generally achieved in a studio setting, and that potential, I feel, has been abundantly realized here.
More specifically, I feel that both Domingo and Te Kanawa sing beautifully while, at the same time, very effectively convey the pathos and suffering of their characters, and, I would add, that for Domingo, this is what distinguishes his performance here from his RCA recording (for a more stentorian approach, try Del Monaco with Von Karajan).
As for Leiferkus as Iago, I would disagree with those who regard his portrayal as undercharacterized. Perhaps his voice is a little bit on the light and dry side, and he avoids obvious theatrics. He does, however, convey Iago's evil and malice, just in a more subtle and restrained manner, all the more chilling and believable as a result, for Iago is supposed to be an insidious villain, not an obvious one.
Finally, Solti's conducting conveys true dramatic thrust and burning intensity. Only Von Karajan, I feel, in his Decca recording comes close.
If you want to see and hear how effective Otello can be in a superior live setting without paying the elevated ticket prices for actually being there, do get this one!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BRILLIANT, September 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Verdi - Otello / Solti, Domingo, Te Kanawa, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"...The Willow Song and Ave Maria provided one of those episodes of transcendental rapture which operagoers remember all their lives, singer, conductor, players and audience caught together in an enchanted spell..." Andrew Porter's review of Kiri Te Kanawa's brilliant performance as Otello's wife.

A perfect production - Placido Domingo demonstrates why he is the best tenor in the world, with a completely commanding performance - catching the balance of Otello's character perfectly.

Russian Sergei Lefeirkus is a vocally good Iago, but lacks a bit of the real wickedness of a brilliant Iago...Cassio is good and the rest of the cast, Emilia (though wobbly at times) included, are wonderful. Kiri Te Kanawa is a stand out performer, a magical Desdemona, with mystery & beauty - acting out the desperation of an unhappy wife to perfection. Domingo and Te Kanawa have real chemistry, better than any operatic 'couple' performing on the world's stages, and the love scene is extremely passionate and vocally beautiful. The final scene moved me to tears...Solti's orchestration is great, though perhaps a little loud sometimes?!

Anything negative aside, it's as perfect an Otello as you will ever find. Buy it!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the greatest Otello on DVD, October 7, 2002

By 

Mark (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi - Otello / Solti, Domingo, Te Kanawa, Royal Opera Covent Garden (DVD)

This is, and by far, the best Otello available on DVD. It is far superior to Karajan's with Vickers in the tiltle role and mainly technically where the movie's picture rarely follows the sound.

Also, we have here a much better Iago (seguei Leiferkus) who is far superior to Glossop's Ugly Iago. Glossop is vulgar in both singing and acting. Leiferkus is far from being great. He overacts very often ("L'o vidi in man do Cassio" is desastrous)but is over all acceptable.

However, the main reason for owning this version is Domingo's Otello. Arguably, he is the Best. He has a weaker voice than Del Monaco (that is not necessarily bad) and he has a smaller voice than Vickers but he surpasses them both in the understanding of the role and in showing vocally Otello's power, rage and jealousy. And, very objectively he has a much more beautiful voice than both his "rivals".
Also remember that this is a DVD and we have to confess that No one acts as good as Domingo...

Solti's conducting is the other amazing feature and unlike Karajan there are no cut in the score.

Te Kanawa's Desdemona makes finally the perfect cake for this version...