Falstaff

Story & Setting:

Based mainly on Shakespeare’s riotous The Merry Wives of Windsor, the action of this piece follows the gleeful machinations of three clever women as they pull one over on the rascal Sir John Falstaff. The production by Robert Carsen updates the action to post-World War II England, where many of the bard’s themes still ring true.

Opera Notes:

Falstaff was Verdi’s final opera, and it is a piece that cannot be compared to any other. Unlike his previous work, the music moves quickly through themes and variations, often with no stopping point, eventually racing to the frenzied final fugue for the entire company.

Sung in

Italian

Length:

2 hours & 35 minutes

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

Watch/Listen

"Sirena! Quand'ero paggio"

Ambrogio Maestri & Angela Meade

Act 2 Finale: "Tutto nel mondo è burla"

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