Othello

Ballet by John Neumeier after William Shakespeare

For John Neumeier, Shakespeare’s drama describes the impossibility of ever really knowing another person. “In ‘Othello’ I see how a very intense relationship is systematically destroyed, due to the fact that there is always a boundary between two people’s complete understanding of each other”. John Neumeier’s synonymous ballet was premiered at Kampnagel in 1985 and quickly attained cult status within the dance community.

Music: Arvo Pärt, Alfred Schnittke, Nana Vasconcelos a.o.
Choreography, Staging, Set and Costumes: John Neumeier

2 hours 35 minutes | 1 intermission
Part I: 55 minutes, Part II: 75 minutes

PREMIERE:
Hamburg Ballet, Kampnagelfabrik, Hamburg, January 27, 1985

ORIGINAL CAST:
Othello: Gamal Gouda
Desdemona: Gigi Hyatt
Jago: Max Midinet
Emilia: Anne Brossier
Cassio: Jeffrey Kirk
Brabantio: Eduardo Bertini
Bianca: Rena Robinson
The Wild Warrior: Ralf Dörnen
La Primavera: Stefanie Arndt
Five Soldiers (Dancers of the Moresca): Jean-Jacques Defago, Johannes Kritzinger, Frank Logeais, Éric Miot, Stephen Pier

IN THE REPERTORY:
Hamburg Ballet
The Stuttgart Ballet

Othello, a Blackmoor Captain, by talking of his Prowess and Feats of War, makes Desdemona a Senator's Daughter to be in love with him; and to be married to him, without her Parents knowledge; And having preferred Cassio, to be his Lieutenant, (a place which his Ensign Jago sued for) Jago in revenge, works the Moor into a Jealousy that Cassio Cuckolds him: which he effects by stealing and conveying a certain Handkerchief, which had, at the Wedding, been by the Moor presented to his Bride. Hereupon, Othello and Jago plot the Deaths of Desdemona and Cassio, Othello Murders her, and soon after is convinced of her Innocence – he kills himself.
Thomas Rymer, 1693

INHALT

I - Venedig

Begegnung
Ein Bild voneinander
Liebe – das Tuch
Moresca
Desdemonas Bekenntnis
Brabantios Anklage
Othellos Antwort
Abschied
Jago und Emilia. Aufbruch

II - Zypern

Morgenlied. Cassio
Kriegsgeschäft
Ablenkungen
Dialog. Verdacht
Verzweiflung
Wahnvisionen
Befremdung. Entfremdung
Das Tuch ist verloren
Die Hure Bianca
Täuschung. Enttäuschung. Entscheidung
Ludus
Mord

Photo © Holger Badekow