Otello

Live and grand ...

Verdi brings Shakespeare's Othello to the stage full of sound, schemes, and jealousy run-amok. I'm not sure where the "h" went; perhaps it's an Italian thing? Semyon Bychkov conducted superbly. Johan Botha was a resonating Otello tenor with a girth that helped him dominate the stage. What he lacked in acting, he made up for in vocal performance. It is truly amazing to hear such clarity and expression in the great singers way up in my cheap-seat section in the Family Circle. The sets and costumes were in true Met high-style. Act I has Otello's ships coming to port and the wall of the city, topped with guards and canons, descends into the floor of the stage opening the scene into Cyprus. Subsequent acts are more luxurious as we are drawn into the castle, chambers, and grounds. But the highlight was finally seeing Renée Fleming live as Desdemona. She was a delight to both hear and see as she threw herself into the role. Unlike Botha, she seemed to love the chance to move about and emote the character, not just sing her role. I was impressed but I think I still prefer Anna Netrebko but with the good news of her pregnancy, I may have to wait to hear her live again 'til next year. But I get to hear Natalie Dessay two more times this season so I can't complain too much.