Verdi's Otello (based on Shakespeare's Othello) had its premiere in Milan in 1887 and is regarded as one of the great achievements of Romantic Italian opera. Musicologist Julian Budden called it "an Everest of Italian opera surrounded only by foothills". The libretto by Arrigo Boito (no mean opera composer himself, as his Faust clearly indicates) retains all the major themes and scenes of the Shakespeare original and add a typically spectacular opening scene. The Opera Theater of St. Louis production opens Saturday, 5/22/1999

Una vela! (A Sail!)

Otello (CD 1978)

Ambrosian Opera Chorus, National Philharmonic/ James Levine

The citizens of Cyprus follow Othello's ship as it fights it's way to port in a raging storm.

Venga la morte (Let death come..)

Placido Domingo, Renata Scotto, National Philharmonic/ James Levine

The love duet that ends Act I

Credo in un Dio crudel (I believe in a cruel God)

Sherrill Milnes, National Philharmonic/ James Levine

Iago's villainous Credo.

Ora e per sempre addio (Now and forever farewell)

Placido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, National Philharmonic/ James Levine

In the play, Othello's famous "farewell to arms" speech in which he pledges to dedicate himself single-mindedly to getting revenge for Desdemona's supposed infidelity and makes Iago swear to help him.

They Say It's Wonderful

Annie, Get Your Gun (Revival Cast 1999)

Bernadette Peters, Tom Wopat

From the cast recording of the revival that has been earning critical praise and audience enthusiasm.

An Old Fashioned Wedding

Interview/discussion with Jay Kelley, St. Louis-based independent movie producer. His latest project, Fatal Decisions, was completed May 1^st.

Bury Me in My Shades

Inside Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein

Best known for his children's books (A Light in the Attic, Where the Sidewalk Ends), Silverstein was also a playwright, artist, and songwriter. This one seems an appropriate send-off.