Otello
Welcome to the Otello Education Resources page!
Austin Opera opens its 2018–2019 season with one of opera’s most dramatically and vocally intense masterpieces: Verdi’s Otello.
As a crackling storm rolls into Cyprus, we are introduced to a trio of figures, each based on Shakespeare’s iconic characters: the victorious naval warrior Otello, his faithful wife Desdemona, and his trusted officer Iago. But soon after the rain subsides, the duplicitous Iago preys upon Otello’s insecurity and suspicion by hatching a plot to have Otello question Desdemona’s fidelity, unleashing a passionate tempest of gale force, with powerfully tragic results.
Starring in the title role is rising star tenor Issachah Savage, who captivated Austin Opera audiences as Radamès in Aida in 2015. Fresh off her appearance as Violetta in our spring 2018 production of La traviata, soprano Marina Costa-Jackson returns to sing the heartbreaking role of Desdemona. And Austin Opera favorite baritone Michael Chioldi returns for his fifth role in Austin as the treacherous and cunning Iago.
Presented as a festive staged concert event, this thoughtful tale of personal and political jealousy is a rarely performed masterwork that will leave Austin audiences breathless.
Austin Opera’s production will be sung in Italian, with English supertitles.
Production Run Time:
Part One – 90 minutes
Intermission – 25 minutes
Part Two – 60 minutes
Total Run Time: approximately 3 hours
The Access Opera: Otello dress rehearsal is scheduled for Thursday, November 8, 7:00 PM. Registration for tickets to this event begins Wednesday, September 5, 2018. Go to the Access Opera page to register!
NEW! Still Life: Musical Instruments Lesson
This TEKS correlated ART lesson and PowerPoint support your students’ exploration of the instruments in the orchestra. Recommended for Grades 5 & up, this Still Life activity is a wonderful way to extend opera learning through the artform of drawing. The lesson is approachable for any teacher, but if you are not a Visual Arts instructor, share it with your colleagues who are and encourage them to collaborate in exploring the orchestra, an important component in an opera production.
Access Opera: Otello Curriculum
Access Opera: Otello PDF Lesson Materials
Access Opera: Otello PowerPoint
Use redemption code: Otello2018
Austin Opera’s Access Opera: Otello curriculum is an innovative multi-media based unit, complete with TEKS aligned lessons, activities, assessments and an Animated Listening Map. This curriculum is designed so you can teach Otello in the time frame that works best for you and your students. Designate an entire class period and share the complete lesson using the accompanying PowerPoint. Teach it in chunks. Here is what that might look like:
- Day 1 – Background (composer info, synopsis) and first listen of featured music selection
- Day 2 – Listen a 2nd time, including suggested activities/assessments from the lesson
- Day 3 & beyond – Listen to some of the alternate versions; try a new activity/assessment; explore SEL connection; Go over Audience Etiquette materials