Leo Slezak was an Austrian dramatic tenor. He was associated in particular with Austrian opera as well as the title role in Verdi's Otello. He is the father of actors Walter Slezak and Margarete Slezak and grandfather of the actress Erika Slezak.
Leo Slezak, c. 1927
Frances Alda as Desdemona and Slezak in the title role of Verdi's Otello at the Metropolitan Opera in 1909.
Otello is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Arrigo Boito, based on Shakespeare's play Othello. It was Verdi's penultimate opera, first performed at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, on 5 February 1887.
Otello and Desdemona by Alexandre-Marie Colin, 1829
Verdi, c. 1870
Boito and Verdi at Sant'Agata
Francesco Tamagno as Otello in a costume designed by Alfred Edel for the original production