Watch Met's 'Otello,' a classic story of jealousy and revenge, live in HD at Douglass Theatre

No Shakespearean tragedy pierces the heart more excruciatingly than does "Othello," so it comes as no surprise that Giuseppe Verdi's adaptation of the tale of the Moor of Venice continues to produce similar responses in the opera world.

The Metropolitan Opera's current production of "Otello" is directed by Barlett Sher, who dates the production's setting to the era of the 1887 La Scala premiere. Sher is the Tony-Award winner whose production of "The King and I" is also on stage at Lincoln Center, and thanks to the Met's Live in HD series, his production of Verdi's masterpiece will soon be in theaters around the world. Indeed, this season marks the 10th anniversary of the Met's movie-theater transmissions.

At the Douglass Theatre in Macon, thanks to the Central Georgia Opera Guild, the screening will be augmented by such welcome additions as an Opera Chat and suitable refreshments.

The story of the destructive powers of jealousy is an old one. It is from Shakespeare's telling of the "Othello" tale that we get the potent image of "the green-eyed monster," and ironically it is the arch-villain Iago who employs the phrase.

At the opera's opening, Otello, a Moorish general in the service of the Venetian republic, has been appointed governor of Cyprus. That he is a Moor helps to bathe him in an aura of "otherness." It should be noted that in this production -- unlike in previous ones -- no kind of blackening is applied to Otello's face.

As Otello returns to Cypus after a victory at sea, we hear his ensign Iago lamenting that he would by no means regret it if Otello's ship had sunk.

Iago's confidante is Roderigo, a young gentleman who is in love with Otello's ravishing wife, Desdemona. Cunningly, Iago sees an opportunity to both revenge himself on his rival for promotion Cassio, and convince Otello that his wife is making a cuckold out of him.

This is a recipe for powerful drama. As the wicked deed is done, many in the audience will have to fight the impulse to leap to their feet and vocally intercede.

"Otello"

When: 12:55 p.m. Oct. 17

Where: Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., and the Galleria Mall Stadium Cinemas 15, 2980 Watson Blvd.

Cost: $24 adults, $20 seniors

Information: www.metopera.org/hdlive; 478-742-2000

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 7:29 PM with the headline "Watch Met's 'Otello,' a classic story of jealousy and revenge, live in HD at Douglass Theatre ."