State Opera of South Australia's OTHELLO Opens this Saturday

State Opera of South Australia's (SOSA) spectacular final production for this year, Otello takes over the Festival Theatre stage this weekend in what SOSA CEO and Artistic Director Timothy Sexton describes as a 'famous tragedy in a contemporary setting' that will surprise and captivate even the most seasoned opera enthusiast.

"A co-production between State Opera of South Australia, Cape Town Opera, West Australian Opera, OperaQ, Victorian Opera and New Zealand Opera, Otello is a six-way partnership which reaches the four corners of Australia and spans oceans in a collaboration which reinforces the fact that the opera family is indeed a global one," Mr Sexton said.

"This acclaimed production has already taken place in Cape Town, Perth and Brisbane and now it's Adelaide's turn to host this incredible spectacle of operatic brilliance."

Otello tells the story of a military commander (a tragically flawed hero), his glamorous and faithful wife, and his manipulative second in command in a twisted tale of love, jealousy and betrayal with devastating consequences.

Otello stars Adelaide favourite Bradley Daley in the demanding title role, Miriam Gordon-Stewart as Desdemona and Douglas McNicol as the evil Iago, with support from a veritable 'who's who' of Australia's best operatic talent, together with the critically acclaimed State Opera Chorus and the magnificent Adelaide Symphony Orchestra conducted by Verdi specialist, Brad Cohen.

Giuseppe Verdi penned Otello towards the end of his life marking his return from a hiatus of more than 10 years in retirement. Loosely based on Shakespeare's play Othello, the work is regarded as one of the most demanding in Verdi's repertoire.

The score is an absolute highlight - Verdi's genius lies in his enhancing of Shakespearean verse with music, telling the story with multiple voices ensuring audiences experience raw emotion not amply conveyed with the spoken word alone.

This production will attract a true cross section of arts lovers as it deals with the generational issues, themes of love, betrayal and jealousy.

"Staged in the more contemporary setting of an aircraft carrier, this is a production that will appeal to both seasoned opera goers and modern audiences alike," Mr Sexton said.

The Adelaide season at Festival Theatre opens on Saturday, October 25, with a further three performances: Tuesday, October 28, Thursday, October 30, and Saturday, November 1.

For bookings visit www.bass.net.au or call 131 246.

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