r's praise.

OTHELLO.

Opera in four acts by GIUSEPPE VERDI.

Text by ARRIGO BOITO, translated into the German by MAX KALBECK.

In his seventy-third year the Maestro has given to his time an opera,
which surpasses his former compositions in many respects. It proves,
that Verdi's genius has remained admirably fresh and that the new views
and revelations, which Wagner opened to the musical world have been
fully understood by the Italian. He has now broken with the unnatural
traditions of the Italian opera, and has in Othello given us a work,
which secures to him an honored place among the best dramatic composers.

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It must not be omitted, that Verdi had a splendid second in the person
of Boito, the high-minded and capable composer of "Mefistofele". He
omits in his action all that is incidental, and as a consequence the
force of thought and expression is the more powerful. It is written
strictly after Shakespeare's original.

The opera was put on the stage in Munich in the summer of 1888 with
great success.

The first scene represents the people, following excitedly the course
of Othello's ship, which battles with the waves. After he has landed
and informed the assembly of his victory over the Turks, shouts of joy
and exultation rend the air.

Then follows a convivial chat between Cassio, Rodrigo and Jago, in the
course of which the latter makes Cassio drunk. Jago's demoniacal
nature is masterfully depicted here, where he soon succeeds in ruining
Cassio, who loses his rank as captain.

In the third scene we see Desdemona with her husband, both rejoicing in
the felicity of their mutual love.

In the second act Jago proceeds to carry out his evil intents, by
sending Cassio to Desdemona, who is to intercede for him with Othello.
Jago then calls Othello's attention to the retiring Cassio and by
making vile insinuations inflames his deadly jealousy. Desdemona
appears, surrounded by women and children, who offer her flowers and
presents. She comes forward to plead for Cassio, and Othello
suspiciously refuses.--She takes out her {252} handkerchief to cool her
husband's aching forehead with it, but he throws it down and Emilia,
Jago's wife, picks it up. Jago wrenches it from her and hides it.

In the next scene Jago's villainous insinuations work upon Othello, who
becomes wildly suspicious. Jago relates a dream of Cassio's, in which
he reveals his love for Desdemona, then he hints that he has