Otello is not only one of my top 5 Verdi operas, but one of my favourite operas ever. The story apart from one or two major alterations follows the play Othello closely and is every bit as compelling, the characters are wonderful with the most irredeemable and interesting villain of all Verdi's operas in Iago and magnificent music, not just Salce Salce, Esultate, Si Pel Ciel, the Drinking song but especially Iago's Credo in Un Dio Crudel. This arena performance is superb. There is a great atmosphere watching it, the settings are lavish and the costumes are some of the better costumes of any Otello production. The orchestra and conducting are superb, as are the principals. Vladmir Atlantov is a complex, thoughtful and subtle Otello, Kiri TeKanawa is a delicate, poignant and dramatically intense Desdemona and Piero Cappuccilli is a slimy and conniving Iago. All in all, a highly recommended performance. 10/10 Bethany Cox
