Othello (Classic Literature with Classical Music) [AUDIOBOOK] [BOX SET] [CAST RECORDING] (Audio CD)

~ (Author), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Narrator), Kelly Reilly (Narrator), Ewan McGregor (Narrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Shakespeare's legendary tragedy is revisited in this spirited and entertaining production that ran in London from November 2007 to February 2008. The flawless, talented cast features Ewan McGregor as the conniving Iago, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Othello (whose performance won him the Olivier Award as best actor) and Kelly Reilly as Desdemona. There is also excellent support from Tom Hiddleston (as Cassio) and Michelle Fairley (as Emilia). This audio production is a rousing, theatrical performance expertly guided by director Michael Grandage. Complete with a musical score as well as full sound effects and background noises, listening is so enjoyable that the play speeds by at breakneck pace. An enclosed booklet contains color photographs of the production and a well-written essay by drama professor Russell Jackson. There's also an entertaining bonus DVD disc featuring interviews with the cast and crew. Brilliantly produced in all departments, listening is the next best thing to seeing it live. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up-Naxos AudioBooks' top-drawer Classic Drama Series blissfully continues with this exquisite rendition of Othello starring Hugh Quarshie, Anton Lesser, Emma Fielding, and a full cast of professional English actors with extensive credits in the Royal National Theatre, BBC Radio Drama Company, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Shakespeare's most domestic tragedy is an exceedingly complex journey through jealousy, self-doubt, inadequacies, and societal acceptance. Passed over for military promotion, Iago, perhaps Shakespeare's most nefarious character, manipulates Othello's downfall, culminating in the murder of his beloved wife, Desdemona, and Othello's subsequent suicide. Under David Timson's stewardship as director, the story is beautifully and simply told, embellished only with intermittent brassy flourishes of classical music and a dramatic echo effect and throbbing heart beat to underscore Othello's chaotic descent and rage. While the entire cast is excellent, the trio of Quarshie (Othello), Lesser (Iago), and Fielding (Desdemona) are outstanding. An outline of each individual cassette, complete synopsis, full notes regarding the text, and cast biographies are included in a compact 24-page supplemental booklet. For all collections.
Barry X. Miller, Austin Public Library, TX
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Audio CD: 3 pages
• Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks (October 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9626342064
• ISBN-13: 978-9626342060
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #506,869 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shake's Alive!, October 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Othello : Complete and Unabridged (Paperback)

"Othello" is one of my favorite Shakespearean plays, but even the best of things could use a little updating once in a while. That's why I was so excited when I found out about the comic book version. It is the play, the whole play, and nothing but the play, made easier for the layman to understand with interesting contemporary art.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful new edition of Othello, July 31, 2006

By	Joanne Diaz (Chicago IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Othello (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

This edition will be a boon for any instructor or advanced student who wants the usual Oxford treatment--extensive, thorough footnotes; wonderful appendices about music and performance; an excellent introduction that could stand alone as its own book; and well-chosen illustrations and photographs from performances throughout history.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What passion! What subtlety!, July 23, 2008

By	Tarah M. Wheeler - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Othello (Audio CD)

This Othello is unbelievably beautiful. Disconnecting oneself from The Operative and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and concentrating only on the voices of the fabulous Chiwetel Ejiofor and Ewan MacGregor, one gets a truly immersive experience into the world of jealousy, racism, betrayal, and true love that Shakespeare must originally have intended. I have to not-so-respectfully disagree with the previous reviewer; this recording is layered, clear, and absolutely pulsating with passion and tension.

It's worth every penny, and I say that as a fan of audiobooks in general and Shakespeare in particular. I'll be listening to this for years; Kenneth Branagh and Lawrence Fishburne--eat your hearts out!