On August 4, 2024, the Wiener Staatsoper is set to present Verdi’s “Otello” at the Film Festival auf dem Wiener Rathausplatz.

The recording, filmed in October 2023, will be screened at 9:00 and showcases a production by  Adrian Noble conducted by Alexander Soddy.

Jonas Kaufmann stars in the title role alongside Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Desdemona and Ludivoc Tézier as Iago.

When the production was revived back in October, critics raved about Kaufmann and said, “Tenor Jonas Kaufmann, with his dark timbre and brooding stage presence, seems particularly appropriate to depict an insecure, tormented and self-destructive war hero in this production. Otello’s opening “Esultate!” salvo – a challenging calling card – was managed well, and Kaufmann paced himself throughout the evening to deliver an honorable and credible, if not unforgettable, performance.”

Regarding Tézier, they said, “Tézier’s booming baritone is flexible enough to convey Iago’s envy, anger and feigned sympathy with ease and authority.”