presented by Gaulitana: A Festival of Music 

MONICA ZANETTIN Soprano
JOANNA PULLICINO Mezzo Soprano
COLIN ATTARD Conductor 

DENISE MULHOLLAND Director
MATTHEW MUSCAT DRAGO Film Director/Director of Photography
LUKE AZZOPARDI Costume Designer 
ANDRE BORG WIRTH Set Artist 

Giuseppe Verdi Scena, Canzone del Salice and Ave Maria from Otello 

In the opening scene of Act 4, Desdemona has a presentiment that her estranged husband, Otello, might soon take her life. Preparing for bed,  she asks Emilia, her lady-in-waiting, to lay out her bridal gown and entreats her to bury her in it, should she die first. 

Full of grief, she recalls a cantilena which used to be sung by her mother’s servant after she was abandoned by her lover.  

Alone, Desdemona kneels and devotionally prays the Ave Maria, which proves to be her final supplication.