Verdi | Directed by Harry Kupfer | Conducted by Andrea Battistoni
Long-awaited Otello to open in Sydney
February 19 – March 19, 2022 | Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Starring | Yonghoon Lee | Karah Son | Marco Vratogna
After being postponed by pandemic restrictions days before opening at the Sydney Opera House
in 2021, audiences will finally have the opportunity to see legendary German director Harry
Kupfer’s highly acclaimed production of Otello opening 19 February.
One of Verdi’s most magnificent works, Otello will feature the three internationally renowned
singers from the original 2021 cast to lead OA’s production of this taut, romantic tragedy.
Distilled from Shakespeare’s masterpiece, Otello is an intense chamber-like opera that explores
all the problems of the world, concentrated in the lives of the three main characters: Otello,
Desdemona and Iago, three of Verdi’s most demanding roles, both vocally and dramatically.
South Korean powerhouse singers Yonghoon Lee and Karah Son will reunite to lead the production
after garnering high praise for their performances of Calàf and Liù respectively, in the company’s
current season of Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot at the Sydney Opera House.
Internationally celebrated tenor Yonghoon Lee will make his role debut as the war hero Otello; a
role that was predicted to be in his future following his 2016 Met performance in Mascagni’s
Cavalleria Rusticana, due to his “exceptional”, “large”, “beautiful spinto voice that he uses with
great skill and sensitivity” (Medicine & Opera). In his current role of Calàf, Lee has been described
as having “imposing stage presence and vocal power perfectly suited to the role” by Limelight
magazine.
The incomparable soprano Karah Son, whose captivating performance made OA’s Madama
Butterfly a must-see in 2019 and is now delivering “a compelling dramatic and vocal performance”
(Sydney Arts Guide) in Turandot, is expected to give a performance that is just as grippingly
exciting in her long-awaited debut as Desdemona.
Fast becoming Australia’s favourite villain, Italian baritone Marco Vratogna returns to Sydney with
a chilling portrayal of Iago alongside a stellar principal cast of Virgilio Marino, Sian Sharp, Richard
Anderson, Hubert Francis, Andrew Moran and Andrew Williams.
Andrea Battistoni, one of the world’s most brilliant young conductors, will lead the cast, Opera
Australia Chorus and Opera Australia Orchestra through Verdi’s glorious score.
Creatives
Conductor -Andrea Battistoni
Director -Harry Kupfer
Revival Director- Luke Joslin
Set Designer -Hans Schavernoch
Costume Designer -Yan Tax
Lighting Designer -Toby Sewell
Cast
Otello -Yonghoon Lee
Desdemona -Karah Son
Iago -Marco Vratogna
Cassio -Virgilio Marino
Emilia- Sian Sharp
Lodovico -Richard Anderson
Roderigo -Hubert Francis
Montano- Andrew Moran
Herald -Andrew Williams
Opera Australia Chorus
Opera Australia Orchestra
Opera Australia is committed to COVID Safe
practices.
Please refer to the website for the Company’s
COVID Safe procedures:
https://opera.org.au/covid-safety
Performance information
Evenings at 7.30pm
February 19, 25
March 2, 8, 12, 16, 19
Saturday Matinee at 12.30pm
March 5
Running time
Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes
including one interval
Performed in Italian with English surtitles
Bookings
Adult tickets from $79 (fees may apply)
Opera Australia Box Office
(02) 9318 8200
Joan Sutherland Theatre
Sydney Opera House