Verdi: Otello
Although Verdi was a lifelong lover of Shakespeare, he did not get a  Shakespearean libretto that was worthy of his and Shakespeare's art until late  in life. Fellow composer and first-class librettist Arrigo Boito lured Verdi out  of retirement with the libretti ofOtelloand, later,Falstaff,  both masterpieces.  Age had taken away nothing from Verdi's genius; he rose to  the challenge of these libretti with music whose greatness makes one regret that  Boito did not go on toKing Lear. The title role demands a tenor of great  power, and Placido Domingo has it. Renata Scotto's high notes are a bit past  their prime, but her characterization of Desdemona is penetrating, and Sherrill  Milnes presents a credibly wicked Iago. Levine conducts masterfully.--Joe  McLellan