Otello
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Arrigo Boito
Directed by Ashley Dean
Conducted by Bertrand de Billy
at Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker (map)
thru Nov 2 | tickets: $44-$264 | more info
Check for half-price tickets
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Lyric opens season with visual, musical stunner
Lyric Opera presents
Otello
Review by Katy Walsh
The beauty of theater on stage is that every performance is live. There is potential for the unexpected. So, on the opening night of the 2013-2014 Lyric Opera season, when an announcement between Act 1 and Act 2 stating the key role of Iago was to be resumed by an understudy, the audience collectively inhaled to see what would happen next. The moment was sheer drama. The Lyric red carpet season opener is one of the biggest nights in Chicago theater. Seats are filled with dazzlingly dressed guests prepared to go from performance to the gala. Every major donor and sponsor is represented. A principal role being changed mid-show was astonishing.
Johan Botha (Otello) and Ana Maria Martinez (Desdemonia) are, indeed, magnificent. They start with a passionate duet of “Gia nella note densa.” They are every bit the loving newlyweds in Act I. The tragedy of their relationship is heart-wrenching. The beautiful Martinez helplessly tries to soothe her husband’s startling mood changes. Even when the ferocious Botha fills the stage with murderous rage, he has hints of vulnerability over losing his joy by losing his wife. His rendition of “Dio mi potevi scagliar” is soulful. A disturbingly resigned Martinez sings a childhood remembrance called the Willow Sing. Her hollow sadness brings about conflicting emotions. I’m mad at her for waiting around for the inevitable, yet know this is how her story ends so am miserable for her too.
 
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Conductor Bertrand de Billy keeps the tempo arousing. He goes right from the National anthem (always performed at the season opener) into the turbulent storm that assisted Otello to triumph in battle. The transition is impressive. Set and Costume Designer John Gunter creates a three story, wooden backdrop. Multiple doors and staircases provide this expansive area for spying and overhearing the wrong information. It adds to the intrigue. For the final act, Gunter drapes white sheers over everything to change the look from rugged masculine to innocent purity. It’s visually stunning.
Otello kicks off the Lyric season with panache. The Lyric proves again why it is America’s premier opera house. Not only is their cast stellar, but they have depth on the bench ready to dress and dazzle with a moment’s notice.
Rating: ★★★★
Otello continues through November 2nd at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker (map), with performances October 21, 25, 29 and November 2 at 7:30pm; October 13 and 17 at 2pm. Tickets are $44-$264, and are available by phone (312-322-2244) or online through their website (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at LyricOpera.org. (Running time: 3 hours, includes an intermission)
Photos by Dan Rest
artists
cast
Johan Botha (Otello), Ana Maria Martinez (Desdemonia), Falk Struckmann (Iago), Todd Thomas (Iago u/s), Antonio Poli (Cassio), Evan Boyer (Lodovico), Julie Anne Miller (Emilia), John Irvin (Roderigo), Anthony Clark Evans (Montano), Richard Ollarsaba (Herald), Anima Young Singers of Greater Chicago
behind the scenes
Bertrand de Billy (conductor), Sir Peter Hall (original director), Ashley Dean (revival director), John Gunter (set design, costume design), Duane Schuler (lighting design), Michael Black (chorus master), August Tye (choreographer), Dan Rest (photos)
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