Otello: opera, identity politics and blacking-up

Opera companies now eschew the once traditional black makeup for the lead in Verdi’s masterpiece, but it remains a controversial issue that highlights the need to nurture more diverse talentGerman tenor Jonas Kaufmann makes his eagerly anticipated title role debut in the Royal Opera’s new production of Verdi’s Otello on 21 June. The audience’s only desire will be to “listen, transported” – like Desdemona – to Kaufmann’s opening salvo, Esultat