Falstaff
Giuseppe Verdi
July 20, 24, 26, 28, 30, August 1, 3 at
7.30pm
First performed at La Scala in Milan on 9 February 1893
Libretto adapted by Arrigo Boito from Shakespeare's play The
Merry Wives of Windsor with scenes from Henry IV
Parts 1 and 2
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
New production
Conductor Peter Robinson
Director
Annilese Miskimmon
Designer Nicky
Shaw
Lighting Designer Mark
Jonathan
Falstaff Olafur Sigurdarson
Ford
George von Bergen
Alice Ford Linda
Richardson
Meg Page Carolyn
Dobbin
Mistress Quickly Carole
Wilson
Nanetta Rhona
McKail
Fenton Benjamin
Hulett
Dr Caius Christopher
Turner
Bardolpho Brian
Galliford
Pistola Simon Wilding
With the City of London Sinfonia and the Opera Holland Park
Chorus
Opera Holland Park closes the season with Verdi’s last opera – his
second comedy – written in 1893 when the composer was nearly 80.
Its scintillating libretto and wonderfully fluent composition make
it a much-revered work, the distillation of Verdi’s monumental
talents into one final masterpiece. Based on Shakespeare’s comedy
The Merry Wives of Windsor, with scenes from Henry
IV, Falstaff follows our hapless hero Sir John as he attempts
to sort out some financial troubles by relying on his irresistible
personal charms…a vain old man is made to come to terms with age
and approaching death.
We are delighted to welcome back baritone Olafur Sigurdarson
(L’amore dei tre Re, 2007, La Gioconda, 2008,
Un ballo in maschera, 2009), to sing the title role.
Chorus generously supported by Mrs Angela Lascelles