SYNOPSIS OF THE OPERA

Act one
The people of Cyprus anxiously watch as a storm rages on the sea and the ship carrying Otello, the hero of the military expedition against Musulmen, desperately tries to make it into port. The storm settles, the ship anchors safely and the cheering Cypriots welcome the hero (Otello’s triumphant Esultate!). Only Ιago, the ensign, does not cheer with the others. Since Otello passed Ιago over and promoted Cassio to captain, Iago hates Otello and plots revenge. Iago encourages Cassio to court Otello’s wife Desdemona and urges him to drink (Iago’s brindisi Qua, ragazzi, del vino!). Cassio gets drunk and starts a quarrel with the former Cypriot governor Montano. Otello arrives and takes away Cassio’s recent promotion. Night descends and Otello and Desdemona recall their courtship under the starry skies (Otello and Desdemona’s duet Giá nella note densa…)

Act two
Iago suggests to Cassio to ask Desdemona to talk to her husband about his demotion. He hopes to make Otello jealous. His desire to destroy Otello is devilish, his creed an essence of malice and nihilism (Vanne!... la tua meta giá vedo…). With his cunning intrigue he succeeds in making Otello believe that Desdemona and Cassio are lovers. Moreover, Iago gets hold of Desdemona’s handkerchief, a gift from Otello.  Iago does so with help of his wife Emilia, Desdemona’s attendant, who is unaware of her husband’s plan. Otello’s jealousy is enflamed and Desdemona’s pleas on Cassio’s behalf only anger him more (Oral e per sempre addio). To fan the flames, Iago insinuates he once heard Cassio speak lovingly of Desdemona in his sleep (Era la note, Cassio dormia). And he produces the handkerchief that Desdemona allegedly gave to Cassio. Otello is desperate and professes revenge (Sangue! sangue! sangue!...
Si, pel ciel marmoreo giuro!)

Act three
Otello accuses his wife of infidelity. She unwittingly enrages him even more when she speaks up on Cassio’s behalf. Iago engages Cassio in a conversation and Otello listens from a hiding place. Iago manipulates the conversation to convince Otello of Desdemona’s guilt. Otello has no doubts anymore after he sees that Cassio really has Desdemona’s handkerchief. He does not know that Iago threw it through the window into the room a short while ago. Otello is in deep despair (Dio! Mi potevi scagliar tutti I mali della miseria, della vergogna…) At that point, an envoy arrives from Venice. The Doge calls Otello back to Venice and appoints Cassio to his position. Otello is enraged, insults his wife in front of the assembled court and collapses to the ground. The others leave the room in horror and Iago triumphs over Otello’s body.

Act four
In her chamber, Desdemona languishes over her husband’s behaviour and reminisces of time spent in her native town (Mia madre avveva una povera ancela innamorata …). She falls asleep after saying prayer (Ave Maria). Otello enters, accuses his wife of infidelity and strangles her. Alarmed by the noise, Emilia runs into the room and announces that Cassio killed Rodrigo. She reveals Iago’s intrigues and together with Cassio explains about Desdemona’s handkerchief. Iago escapes and Otello stabs himself over the dead body of his wife (Niun mi tema, se anco armato mi vede), dying over a final kiss (…un altro bacio…)