From the dvd booklet; probably copyrighted:
Act One:
The black African Othello has returned to Venice victorious after recapturing Cyprus from the Turks on behalf of the Adriatic Republic. In reward he asks the Doge to grant him citizenship, which the latter immediately confers on him - despite his origins. But Othello's ambitions are even loftier: he has secretly married Desdemona, daughter of the politically influential Elmiro. However, Elmiro has other plans for Desdemona: he hates Othello because of his skin colour and intends to marry Desdemona to Rodrigo, who is passionately in love with her.
Desdemona seeks advice from her confidante, Emilia. She has been worried ever since a letter and a lock of her hair that she wanted to send to Othello fell into her father's hands. In order not to give herself away, Desdemona let her father believe that the letter was addressed to Rodrigo. If Othello sees the love token in the hands of another, he will believe her to be unfaithful. Desdemona's fears are all too well founded: the letter and lock of hair have fallen into Iago's possession. Iago also once hoped to win Desdemona's hand in marriage and now wants to take his revenge on her as well as Othello, whom he misleads into believing is his friend.
Elmiro hastily announces the wedding, but to Rodrigo's dismay Desdemona defies her father. When Othello joins them, he declares before the entire company assembled to celebrate his victory that Desdemona has sworn her love and fidelity to him. Desdemona confirms her oath, whereupon Elmiro curses his daughter. Her despair is increased by Rodrigo's and Othello's threats.
Act Two
Rodrigo cannot accept being rejected by Desdemona. When she reveals to him that Othello is her husband, he threatens to kill the Moor. Desdemona decides to find Othello in order to save him.
With the help of the love letter and the lock of hair it is easy for Iago to convince Othello completely of Desdemona's infidelity. He is resolved to kill her. Rodrigo demands that Othello renounce Desdemona; instead, Othello challenges him to a duel. Desdemona intervenes. In utter terror and at the same time stung by Othello's cool attitude, she falls into a faint. She regains consciousness in Emilia's arms. The news that Othello is still alive gives her only a brief respite: Elmiro's appearance culminates in a complete rupture between him and Desdemona.
Act Three
Desdemona has given up all hope of seeing Othello again, as he has been sent into exile. Emilia cannot console her. Desdemona's sorrow is echoed in the sad song of the gondolier. To give vent to her feelings, Desdemona sings the song of Isaura, who died of a broken heart under a weeping willow. She bids farewell to Emilia, says a prayer and goes to bed.
With Iago's connivance, Othello has stolen into her bedroom. While a storm rages outside, he vacillates between love, self-hatred, jealousy and vengefulness. When Desdemona wakes up, she protests her innocence - to no avail. Othello announces to her that Iago has murdered Rodrigo, her alleged lover, and kills her.
But Rodrigo is alive: he explains to Othello that Iago admitted his intrigues before falling by Rodrigo's hand. The latter is now prepared to relinquish Desdemona. The Doge also speaks of reconciliation, and Elmiro of a possible marriage, whereupon Othello kills himself.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Rossini: Otello (2012) Synopsis mine
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6047190/
Venice.
Modern-ish dress; women wear gloves and pillbox hats circa 1962.
Act 1:
At a cocktail party, Otello (in very dark makeup) is welcomed back from his victory over the Turks in Cyprus. Most men are in black suits; some in dress uniform, none like Otello's short jacket. Iago (ensign to Otello) and Rodrigo (son of the Doge) sulk together in a corner until Iago (wearing similar short jacket) feels the need to hug Otello. The Doge enters very slowly, with a medieval hat, medallion and robe over his modern black suit. He praises Otello, gives him a medal, and inquires what reward Otello desired. Citizenship; granted. (They call their state Adria.) All go in to dinner.
Elmiro & Rodrigo come out and discuss Desd. (Elmiro's daughter) and whether she will accept Rodrigo; unclear. Elmiro goes back, Iago emerges from the shadows. He reveals the letter from Desd. and vows to destroy the Moor - out of friendship for R. The men depart.
Emilia & Desd. enter and peek into the dining room. Desd. worries about the letter her father intercepted, and that she let him believe it was intended for Rodrigo.
Iago enters & the women flee. He sings alone about his former desire for her; he spits at that memory.
Rodrigo enters, followed by Elmiro, who admits he hates Otello, and wants Rodrigo as his son-in-law, asks Iago to help accomplish that.
Exit Iago & Rodrigo, enter Desd, who asks for a kiss from her father; she gets a side-hug.
Exit Elmiro, enter Emilia, so the women can speculate what her father intends for Desd's marriage.
Women exit, enter Iago with a folio of paperwork. He retrieves Elmiro & Rodrigo from the dinner; Elmiro & Rodrigo each signs the document in the folio. Enter Desd. & Emilia to see the signing. Elmiro tries to convince her to accept Rodrigo, who sings his internal doubts. Desd. reads the document to finally realize what her father wants. She resists. Rodrigo tries to convince her of his love for her. Iago retreats. Father, daughter, suitor sing their feelings.
While Rodrigo paws Desd, the dinner party enter the room led by Otello & Iago. Outraged, Otello reveals they have sworn oaths to each other; Desd. confirms it and Elmiro curses her. The cast (minus Iago, who only observes) sings a quintet plus chorus about the predicament. Eventually Rodrigo & Otello join Elmiro in cursing Desd. Desd. follows her father when he exits.
Act 2:
Desd.'s bedroom.
Fresh from the dining hall, Rodrigo followed Desd. here; he continues to plead his case, calling her a traitor when she resists. She confesses that she and Otello are married. After a lot more pleading and resistance, he leaves, vowing to kill Otello.
Enter Emilia. They sing about Desd.'s fear for Otello. Desd. departs, Emilia sings about gathering comrades to help.
Recreation room with frig and pool table, chairs put up for the night.
Otello lamenting his condemnation of Desd. Enter Iago to share the intercepted letter. It has the desired effect.
Exit Iago, enter Rodrigo, who challenges Otello physically. They each grab a pool cue as a weapon, but continue singing. Enter Desd., who tries to keep them separated. They disarm, but still want to fight. The men depart as though they will fight outside.
Enter Emilia, who finds Desd. fainted, but she revives, worried about Otello. At Desd.'s request, Emilia & friends pursue Otello. Desd. continues singing, a crowd gathers. Enter Elmiro, so he and the chorus can condemn Desd. further, and Desd. can continue to defy his wishes.
Act 3:
Desd.'s bedroom.
Emilia & Desd. sing about her feelings. Otello has been condemned to exile. Gondolier sings offstage, a sad song that Desd. writes on her wall. Desd. remembers another song that fits the mood, and brings out her record player to hear it, then sings along about the woman so despondent she dies beneath a willow tree. Desd. asks for one last kiss from Emilia before retiring to bed. Exit Emilia.
Enter Otello, who sings about his conflicted feelings, wielding a dagger in the dark while Desd. sleeps. She wakes, and they have it out. She claims she is innocent, and if he can't believe her, he should kill her. He does.
A knock at the door. Outside are Rodrigo, Elmiro, the Doge, Emilia and the chorus. Iago is dead by Rodrigo, after he confessed the letter's intended recipient was a deception (how did he know?). Rodrigo is ready to concede Desd. to Otello, as is Elmiro. The Doge reinforces the state's appreciation of Otello, revoking his exile. Otello lets the folks into the room, they see the dead Desd. Realizing he's killed her for no good reason, he executes himself while Rodrigo helps drive the dagger deeper. Both Elmiro and Rodrigo kick Otello's body. Curtain.
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