Desdemona bella...
This is probably the best "Otello" on DVD. Placido Domingo has some moments in which his voice sounds forced, particularly in "Si, pel ciel", but on the whole, the production is excellent, with great, exciting conducting by James Levine, a very good and believable Iago in James Morris, and a really good Cassio and Emilia.
The true star of the production, however, is Renee Fleming, who is simply spectacular as Desdemona. She sings like an angel, with wonderful expression and some ravishing pianissimi. Definitely the best Desdemona I've ever heard.
The staging is very lush and the costumes gorgeous, but I really can't understand why the old Met production, which was beautiful, wasn't kept on for a few more years. I'm sure there are other Met productions far more in need of updating.

Looks good, but doesn't work
I got this CD which didn't work. Received a replacment, which didn't work either. Is this a coincidence?

Otello w/ Placido Domingo & Renee Fleming
I wanted Placido Domingo singing "Otello" and I am extremely pleased with this DVD. The DVD arrived quickly and in perfect shape.

A must own!
What a treat! Domingo was owning this...voice powerful, presence exactly right, and acting surprising excellent. Fleming was brilliant! Her voice was at the height of it's beauty. The last aria was so moving and perfect. While I didn't care for Morris's voice in this, I thought that he perfectly portrayed the character. And his second act with Domingo took this to this to another level. It left me breathless. The last act was so moving it brought me to tears. The pace was perfect throughout, and builds to a fantastic climax.I'll probably never get to see Domingo perform this live...but this is a wonderful record of a role that he totally owned.Bravo!

E Viva Otello!
Right from the opening storm scene with the chorus, I knew I would not be disappointed. The elegant sets matched the equally elegant music and performance. Personally, I thought James Morris's performance of Jago (Or Iago in English) stole the show. I don't think I'll ever see a Jago as snide or sneaky as him.

Domingo's performance of progressively getting more and more distrusting, angry, and jealous was perfect. I thought I was really seeing a man lose his faith in his wife's honesty and finally he lost his mind, only to find the truth too late. His anger left him entirely, with only sorrow on his face. I don't even think the audience would have seen half the detail of the zoom-in shots, but they WERE all their characters, right on the mark. I did not see actors and singers putting some show up, I saw a drama unfolding before me until the last bit of music faded away for the audience to explode in a well-deserved ovation.