Composer

:

Aram Khachaturian

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Suite

Compose Date

:

1955

Average_duration

:

33:37

Movement_count

:

11

Movement ....

Aram Khachaturian's ballet 'Othello' was composed in 1955 and premiered on January 16, 1957, at the Kirov Theatre in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). The ballet is based on William Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name and tells the story of the Moorish general Othello, his wife Desdemona, and his ensign Iago. The ballet is divided into three acts and ten scenes. The first act introduces the characters and sets the scene in Venice, where Othello and Desdemona fall in love. The second act takes place in Cyprus, where Othello is stationed with his army. Iago begins to manipulate Othello, convincing him that Desdemona is unfaithful. The third act sees the tragic conclusion of the story, with Othello killing Desdemona and then himself. Khachaturian's music for 'Othello' is characterized by its dramatic intensity and emotional depth. The score is heavily influenced by Armenian folk music, with its use of modal scales and rhythmic patterns. The music is also notable for its use of percussion, particularly in the battle scenes of the second act. The ballet's choreography was created by Leonid Lavrovsky, who also danced the role of Othello in the premiere. Lavrovsky's choreography is known for its athleticism and expressiveness, particularly in the pas de deux between Othello and Desdemona. Overall, 'Othello' is considered one of Khachaturian's most successful works for the stage. Its combination of Shakespeare's timeless story with Khachaturian's powerful music and Lavrovsky's dynamic choreography has made it a staple of the ballet repertoire.

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