Verdi was all but retired when librettist Arrigo Boito gave him a pared-down, fat-free version of Shakespeares Othello (Boito even trimmed the H in the title). It inspired the composer to the highest peaks hed yet reached in tragedy: his greatest love duet, greatest tenor/baritone duet, greatest soprano solothe devastating Willow Song and Ave Maria that Desdemona sings just before Otello murders her. Yet theres at least one good reason Seattle Opera hasnt staged the piece since 1987: The title role is one of the most emotionally and vocally grueling tenor parts ever written. Your plan B is to see it as part of the opera broadcast series sponsored by Columbia City Cinema, in a 2008 Salzburg Festival performance with Riccardo Muti conducting. YouTube clips suggest its a pretty smoldering performance. GAVIN BORCHERT
Wednesdays, 4 & 7 p.m. Starts: Aug. 25. Continues through Sept. 29, 2010
