Otello
Premiere performances: 26 and 29 September 2024 at the State Opera
Basic information
The State Opera
Approximate running time3 hours, 1 intermission (20 minutes) minutes
LanguageIn Italian, surtitles in Czech, English
PremiereSeptember 26, 2024
Often referred to as the greatest Italian tragic opera, Otello combines Guiseppe Verdi’s brilliant music and William Shakespeare’s celebrated tragedy, as superbly adapted by the librettist Arrigo Boito.
Cast
- 2024-2025
Creatives
About
State Opera Chorus
State Opera Orchestra
National Theatre Opera Ballet
Prague Philharmonic Children's Choir
Shakespeare (and Boito) and Verdi lead the title hero into an ever-deeper abyss. The opera opens with a powerful storm scene and the jubilant entry of Otello, commander of the Venetian Navy, who, in spite of all the natural forces, returns to Cyprus and announces victory over the Ottoman Empire. The hero, however, makes the fatal error of trusting an evil man. Iago, a ruthless schemer devoured by lust for power, turns Otello’s life into a hell. Lost in his own delusions, Iago’s intrigues drive the feted general to blind jealousy, ultimately resulting in murder. Verdi was well aware of the extraordinary quality of Boito’s libretto, the finest he encountered during his career as a composer. He believed that together they had created a masterpiece – and he was right.
The premiere, on 5 February 1887 at La Scala in Milan, was a triumph, following which Otello set out on its glorious journey around the world. On 7 January 1888, owing to the promptitude of its director, František Adolf Šubert, the opera was staged, in Czech, at the National Theatre in Prague. The State Opera first presented it on 20 December 1911, conducted by Pietro von Stermich. Our new production has been undertaken by the distinguished drama director Martin Čičvák, who has previously gained acclaim at the State Opera with adaptations of Verdi’s opera Macbeth, Paul Abraham’s operetta Ball im Savoy and Dmitry Shostakovich’s opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.
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Practical information
Where to buy tickets
The National Theatre sells tickets up to 6 months in advance. We are currently selling tickets for performances of Drama, Ballet, Opera and Laterna magika taking place in December 2024 – May 2025.
When purchasing online, you can get an e-ticket. You can pick up printed tickets in person at the box offices of the National Theatre.
What to wear?
By their appearance, attire and behaviour, the audience is obliged to adhere to the accustomed practice expected from them when attending a theatre performance.
Parking at the State opera
While visiting the State Opera, you can take the slip road on Wilsonova street from the left lane close to the State Opera building to the Parking Centrum above-ground garage. The parking fee is 60 CZK/h.
Buffets at the State Opera
No waiting. For your benefit, please pre-order your food and beverages at the bar to minimize waiting in the queue!
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