Go to Verdi’s Otello, one of his last operas, or watch a video. Shakespeare’s drama is of the highest order, although much of it is lost, not only in the very condensed libretto, but also in the...

Go to Verdi’s Otello, one of his last operas, or watch a video. Shakespeare’s drama is of the highest order, although much of it is lost, not only in the very condensed libretto, but also in the translation into Italian. Does either the music or the drama dominate? Or is there a synthesis?