Verdi: Otello (CD) by Frank Little (tenor), Jean Kraft (mezzo-soprano), Malcolm King (bass), Paul Crook (tenor), Paul Plishka (bass);...

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 of otello and, 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 to king 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 SKU:ADIB000003EMR

0078635295122. New condition. CD.