As a life-long opera fan and of Placido Domingo, I saw this Otello and I was very impressed all in all. The costumes, sets, editing and videography are all first rate, while the story is compelling, the characters vivid and the music magnificent particularly Esultate, the Willow Song, Si Pel Ciel and for me the highlight of the opera Credo in Un Dio Crudel.
As far as any Otello productions go, this one from 2001 is very good. I prefer the 1986 Zeffirelli film and the 1992 production both of which has Placido Domingo in the lead as well as here, but that's no reason to dismiss a production as solid as this one.
The orchestra playing is genuinely atmospheric and evocative, and Muti's conducting is superb. In a very long time, I have not heard a better-conducted drinking song as heard and seen here.
The performances are great as well. Placido Domingo is wonderful as Otello, both in voice and acting, for me when it comes to tenors and singing-actors Domingo has the full package. Barbara Frittoli is a delicate and poignant Desdemona and I didn't mind the staging in the Willow Song personally, if in acting never quite reaching the dramatic intensity of the role that I have heard other sopranos namely Renata Scotto doing. Leo Nucci is a very solid Iago, great voice and suitably conniving acting skills. The characterisation in the Credo perhaps is a little restrained where Nucci occasionally loses the character in the few stretches where he's not singing, but overall Nucci does a very good job playing the irredeemable villain.
Overall, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
