Nino Sanzogno, Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La Fenice, Pier Miranda Ferraro, Tito Gobbi - Verdi: Otello (2013/1966)
Nino Sanzogno, Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La Fenice, Pier Miranda Ferraro, Tito Gobbi - Verdi: Otello (2013/1966)
NTSC 4:3 (720x480) VBR | Italiano (LinearPCM, 2 ch) | (DTS, 6 ch) | (Dolby AC3, 6 ch) | 7.29+3.60 Gb (DVD9+DVD5) | 139 (opera)+59 (bonus) min
Classical | Hardy | Sub: Italiano, English, Francais, Espanol, Deutsch
NTSC 4:3 (720x480) VBR | Italiano (LinearPCM, 2 ch) | (DTS, 6 ch) | (Dolby AC3, 6 ch) | 7.29+3.60 Gb (DVD9+DVD5) | 139 (opera)+59 (bonus) min
Classical | Hardy | Sub: Italiano, English, Francais, Espanol, Deutsch
In honor of the Tito Gobbi centenary (in 2013), the Associazione Musicale Tito Gobbi has unearthed and released this Otello, performed in the courtyard of the Doge's Palace in Venice, in August 1966. While technical challenges involved in broadcasting a production back in the '60s, from a venue not designed for theater, caused occasional problems involving camera work and sound, the resulting black-and-white video is well worth having, particularly for Gobbi's brilliant Iago. Although an earlier Gobbi Iago is available from VAI, filmed in Japan in 1959 opposite Mario Del Monaco's titanic Moor, this later document finds the extraordinary baritone no less nimble physically and vocally. In fact, the vastness of the performing area and the evocative atmosphere of the Palazzo Ducale seem to draw from Gobbi a sort of ownership of the environment that is perfect for Iago, as he darts about controlling events like a sardonic puppeteer. And, as one recalls from performances at the Met six months after this one, Gobbi was able to imbue the character with a youthful, amicable persona that made Iago's vile deeds all the more chilling. This video also confirms the recollection that this role, even in late career, was one the great singing actor found vocally congenial. There is a lightness of delivery that makes Iago's Act I drinking song and Act III duet with Cassio particularly stunning. Textual and tonal colors are employed in a manner that feels inevitable rather than applied, and Iago's "Credo" might as well have been written for Gobbi, so perfectly does it suit his gifts. All in all, this is a dazzling performance.
Cast:
Otello - Pier Miranda Ferraro
Jago - Tito Gobbi
Desdemona - Laura Londi
Emilia - Anna Di Stasio
Cassio - Giorgio Giorgetti
Roderigo - Augusto Pedroni
Lodovico - Alessandro Maddalena
Montano - Angelo Nosotti
Un araldo - Albrto Carusi
Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La Fenice
Conductor - Nino Sanzogno
Nino Sanzogno, Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La Fenice, Pier Miranda Ferraro, Tito Gobbi - Verdi: Otello (2013/1966)
Nino Sanzogno, Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La Fenice, Pier Miranda Ferraro, Tito Gobbi - Verdi: Otello (2013/1966)
Nino Sanzogno, Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La Fenice, Pier Miranda Ferraro, Tito Gobbi - Verdi: Otello (2013/1966)
Nino Sanzogno, Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La Fenice, Pier Miranda Ferraro, Tito Gobbi - Verdi: Otello (2013/1966)
