Directed by Keith Warner

Royal Opera House favourite Keith Warner returns in 2017 to direct Verdi's thrilling Shakespearean tragedy Otello, with German tenor Jonas Kaufmann singing the title role, shared with Gregory Kunde. With 2016 having marked the Italian composer's 200th birthday, Otello explores themes of fidelity, doubt and revenge, with Iago now a universal icon of poisonous evil. Conducted by Antonio Pappano, this traditionally cast opera is designed by Boris Kudlicka with spectacular fight choreography by Ran Arthur Braun.

The iconic tale of revenge

A tale of racism, jealousy and murder that remains forever relevant, this story follows the rise and drastic fall of Moorish commander Otello, as he returns victorious to his home on Cyprus following the Venetian army's decisive defeat against the Turkish hordes. Eager to be reunited with his beautiful wife Desdemona his happiness is short-lived when Iago, his subordinate conspires to get his revenge for being passed over for promotion, in favor of the popular (and far more qualified) officer Cassio.

As he plants harmful doubts into Otello's mind about his wife's fidelity; events explode when her hankerchief is found in Cassio's quarters. Humiliated and convinced of his wife's cheating, he vows to kill her. Will he go through with it and unknowingly fulfill Iago's evil revenge?