“Ave Maria“ Otello, G. Verdi - Maria Callas (Most angelic and expressive Desdemona!)

DONATIONS/DONAZIONI: Othello (original title in Italian, Otello) is a four-act opera with music by Giuseppe Verdi and a libretto in Italian by Arrigo Boito, based on the work of Shakespeare Othello, the Moor of Venice. Place and date of premiere: Teatro alla Scala, Milan, on February 5, 1887. Roles: -Otello, Moor, general of the Venetian navy (dramatic tenor) -Desdemona, his wife (lyrical soprano-spinto) -Yago, Ensign of Othello (dramatic baritone) -Emilia, his wife (mezzo-soprano) -Lodovico (Ludovico), ambassador of Venice (bass) -Heraldo (bass or baritone) -Cassio, captain (lyrical or light tenor) -Roderigo (Rodrigo), Venetian knight (lyrical or light tenor) -Montano, Othello’s predecessor in the Cyprus government (bass) Soldiers, courtiers, people of Cyprus