Washington National Opera (WNO) presents Otello, Verdi's penultimate opera, in its return to the Kennedy Center Opera House after a nearly 20-year absence, from October 26-November 16, 2019. The title role features tenor Russell Thomas whose "assured vocalism and theatrical acuity" (Wall Street Journal) brought him acclaim as Shakespeare's tragic Moor at the Canadian Opera Company earlier this year.

Soprano Leah Crocetto returns to the WNO stage as Otello's innocent wife, Desdemona, following her celebrated performances in the role with the English National Opera and Frankfurt Opera. Audiences will remember this vocal duo from their acclaimed appearances in WNO's 2018 mounting of Don Carlo.