Based on Shakespeare’s celebrated play, this late opera by Giuseppe Verdi is without a doubt one of the high-water marks of the grand opera tradition. General Otello is happily married to the beautiful Desdemona – until the crafty Iago begins to excite his jealous temperament and put it to own purposes. Infuriated by the General’s happiness, Iago begins to plot the demise of Otello, who falls prey to his schemes and eventually strangles his wife in a fit of jealous rage. Having returned to his senses and discovered Iago’s betrayal, Otello is inconsolable and puts an end to his own life. José Cura, ranked among the world’s leading interpreters of Verdi’s music, takes the title role in Willy Decker’s profound and dramatic production recorded live at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, in 2006.