METROPOLITAN OPERA BROADCASTS: OTELLO, PT. 1
{ACTS I AND II} (RADIO)
Summary
Part one of three. One in this series of performances by
the Metropolitan Opera. In this program, the
Metropolitan Opera performs Verdi's "Otello," based on
Shakespeare's tragedy. In Act I, Otello returns to
Cyprus victorious over the Turks. In his absence, his
ensign, Iago, has fostered a deep hatred for him because
he feels slighted that Cassio was chosen by Otello for a
promotion to the rank of lieutenant. The evil Iago
plots to destroy both Cassio and Otello for revenge.
Unaware of the plot, Otello and his wife, Desdemona,
sing of their love in the duet "Gia nella notte" ("Here
in the night"). Iago enlists the help of the nobleman
Roderigo to involve Cassio in a brawl, and he is
stripped of his rank. As Act II begins, Iago convinces
Desdemona to help him regain Otello's favor. When
alone, he muses about his evil intent. In the next
scene, he begins to carry out his sinister plan by
arousing Otello's suspicions about Desdemona's
relationship with Cassio. Continues with R86:1031.
(Network affiliation varies; as above, 1931-1943; Blue
Network, 1943-1945; ABC, 1945-1958; CBS, 1958-1960;
in syndication, 1960 to the present.)
Details
- NETWORK: NBC Blue
- DATE: February 24, 1940 2:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:50:00
- COLOR/B&W: N/A
- CATALOG ID: R86:1030
- GENRE: Radio - Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Operas
- SERIES RUN: NBC - Radio series, 1931-1943
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Giuseppe Verdi … Composer
- Ettore Panizza … Conductor
- Metropolitan Opera Orchestra … Symphony Orchestra
- Fausto Cleva … Chorus Master
- Herbert Graf … Stage Director
- Giovanni Martinelli … Cast, Otello, Singer
- Elisabeth Rethberg … Cast, Desdemona, Singer
- Lawrence Tibbett … Cast, Iago, Singer
- George Cehanovsky … Cast, Montano, Singer
- De Paolis, Alessio … Cast, Cassio, Singer
- Giordano Paltrinieri … Cast, Roderigo, Singer
- Thelma Votipka … Cast, Emilia, Singer
- Wilfred Engelman … Cast, Herald, Singer
- Nicola Moscona … Cast, Lodovico, Singer