The Making of Verdi’s "Otello"

Madrid’s Teatro Real opened the opera season of its anniversary year with a new production of Verdi’s “Otello”.

Fernando Carro, Liz Mohn, Francisco Belil and Pablo García-Berdoy (f.l.t.r.).

His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain greets Bertelsmann family spokeswoman Liz Mohn upon arriving at the Teatro Real.

At the Teatro Real (f.l.t.r.): Fernando Carro, President Spain at Bertelsmann, Pablo García-Berdoy, Ambassador of Spain to Germany, Liz Mohn, Gregorio Marañón, President of the Teatro Real, and Ignacio Belenguer, Director General of the opera house.

Pierluigi Ledda, Director of the Archivio Storico Ricordi in Milan, explains the concept behind the “Otello” exhibition at the Teatro Real.

The exhibition “The Making of Verdi's ‘Otello’ – A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi” at Madrid's Teatro Real.

Desdemona, Act IV, costume design by Alfredo Edel, world premiere, Milan, Teatro alla Scala, 5 February 1887

Exhibit from “The Making of Verdi's ‘Otello’ – A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi”.

The tenor Francesco Tamagno (1848-1923) who created the role of Otello, photograph by anonymous, world premiere, Milan, Teatro alla Scala, 5 February 1887

Exhibits from “The Making of Verdi's ‘Otello’ – A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi”.

“The Making of Verdi’s Otello – A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi“ Madrid

The exhibition “The Making of Verdi's ‘Otello’ – A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi” at Madrid's Teatro Real.

The exhibition “The Making of Verdi's ‘Otello’ – A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi” at Madrid's Teatro Real.

His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain greets Bertelsmann family spokeswoman Liz Mohn upon arriving at the Teatro Real; on right: Her Majesty Queen Letizia of Spain.

Otello, autograph score, Act I, folio 1

The exhibition “The Making of Verdi's ‘Otello’ – A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi” at Madrid's Teatro Real.

Vanity table, Desdemona's room, prop design by Carlo Ferrario, world premiere, Milan, Teatro alla Scala, 5 February 1887

The exhibition “The Making of Verdi's ‘Otello’ – A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi” at Madrid's Teatro Real.

Exhibits from “The Making of Verdi's ‘Otello’ – A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi”.

Francisco Belil (Fundación Bertelsmann) and Liz Mohn at the exhibition “The Making of Verdi’s ‘Otello’ - A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi”.

The exhibition “The Making of Verdi's ‘Otello’ – A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi” at Madrid's Teatro Real.

The great castle room, Act III, set design by Giovanni Zuccarelli, world premiere, Milan Teatro alla Scala, 5 February 1887

Before the curtain rises on the new “Otello” at the Teatro Real (f.l.t.r.): Francisco Belil (Fundación Bertelsmann), Liz Mohn and Fernando Carro, President Spain at Bertelsmann.

Fernando Carro and Liz Mohn in front of exhibits at the “Making of Verdi’s ‘Otello’ - A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi” exhibition.

Arrigo Boito and Giuseppe Verdi in the garden of Giulio Ricordi's residence in Via Borgonuovo, Milan, photograph by Achille Ferrario

Francisco Belil (Fundación Bertelsmann), Liz Mohn and Fernando Carro, President Spain at Bertelsmann, at the Ricordi Archive exhibition on “Otello”.

Francisco Belil (Vice President, Fundación Bertelsmann), Borja Azcurra (Director Institutional Relations, Teatro Real), the Ambassador of Spain to Germany, Pablo García-Berdoy, and Fernando Carro, who is President Spain at Bertelsmann. (f.l.t.r.)

Letter from Giuseppe Verdi to Tito Ricordi, Madrid, 22 February 1862 [1863]

Bertelsmann family spokeswoman Liz Mohn greets the Director General of the Teatro Real, Ignacio Belenguer.

Exhibits from “The Making of Verdi's ‘Otello’ – A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi”.

Bertelsmann family spokeswoman Liz Mohn greets the President of the Teatro Real, Gregorio Marañón.

Exhibit from “The Making of Verdi's ‘Otello’ – A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi”.

Exhibit from “The Making of Verdi's ‘Otello’ – A Glimpse into the Archivio Storico Ricordi”.

Otello, Act IV, costume design by Alfredo Edel, world premiere, Milan, Teatro alla Scala, 5 February 1887