Based upon The Merry Wives of Windsor, Salieri’s Falstaff remains one of the earliest operatic versions of Shakespeare’s play. It tells the story of the boastful Sir John Falstaff’s attempts to woo two wealthy married women, but his plans are haltered through witty and elaborate pranks. A central moment includes a scene in which Falstaff, hiding from Mr Ford in a laundry basket, is carried out of the house from under his nose. The work premiered at the Karntnertortheater in Vienna on 3 January 1799 and was much admired. It would seem the very features that cause Shakespeareans to look down upon the original work — his only small-town drama — are the aspects that benefit this successful opera buffa, in which trickery, chaos, and excellent music combine to make this a rambunctious event indeed.

Theo Joly

Events

Past events

2 - 3 May, 2025

Shakespeare in Music · New Chamber Opera

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