# Verdi, Otello

The unaccompanied low string writing before Otello’s entrance in the final act. A standard opera-audition excerpt and completely exposed.

## About the excerpt

- **Composer:** Giuseppe Verdi

- **Work:** Otello

- **Era:** Late-Romantic (c. 1880–1910)

- **Composed:** 1887

- **Clef:** Bass clef

- **Difficulty:** Audition

- **Audition list:** Standard excerpt

## Bowing

A slow bow close to the bridge gives definition at low dynamics where more pressure would only choke the string.

## Where it goes wrong

Written very low and very quietly, where a bass speaks reluctantly. Bow speed and contact point have to be judged precisely or the note simply does not start.

## Style

The passage is dramatic scene-setting rather than accompaniment, it should feel ominous and controlled.

## Techniques

opera, audition, exposed, soft

This public reference contains work information and original practice notes. It does not publish the excerpt notation or grant permission to copy a score. Score access and rights depend on the edition and jurisdiction.

## Related excerpts

- [Mahler: Symphony No. 1, III, bass solo](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/mahler-1-iii-bass-solo), The unaccompanied solo bass statement of Frère Jacques in the minor. The most famous solo in the orchestral bass repertoire, and completely exposed. Audition; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, bass passages](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/strauss-heldenleben-bass), Fast, wide-ranging low string writing that crosses the whole instrument. One of the hardest excerpts on the standard list. Audition; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Mahler: Symphony No. 2, I, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/mahler-2-i-bass), The tremolo-driven low string opening. Aggressive, rhythmically exact, and demanding a large sound without loss of definition. Audition; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Strauss: Don Juan, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/strauss-don-juan-bass), The low string part of the opening gesture, fast, wide, and requiring the section to match the upper strings exactly. Audition; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/verdi-otello-bass