Falstaff 2001

Synopsis
Artists

Comic opera…

…simply bursting with youthful energy.

Music By

Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto By

Arrigo Boito

Act I

Scene 1. The Garter Inn. The outraged Dr. Caius launches an attack on the boorish behavior of Falstaff and his sidekicks, Bardolfo and Pistola, but they laugh off the complaints. In hopes of improving his fortunes, Falstaff plans to seduce two wealthy married women, Alice Ford and Meg Page. He composes identical love letters to both, which Bardolfo and Pistola refuse to deliver. Falstaff lectures them on honor and sends a pageboy as messenger.

Scene 2. The Garden of Ford’s House. Alice and Meg discover Falstaff’s duplicity and decide to turn the tables. Ford, Alice’s husband, is enraged when he finds out about Falstaff’s plan and plots his own revenge. Meanwhile, Alice’s daughter, Nannetta, snatches a few moments – and a few kisses – with her sweetheart. Fenton.

Act II

Scene 1. The Garter Inn. The ladies’ friend Mistress Quickly arranges an assignation for Falstaff with Alice. But then Ford himself, disguised as “Master Brook,” arrives. He proclaims his own affection for Alice, but proposes to hire Falstaff to smooth his way by seducing her first. Falstaff gladly accepts.

Scene 2. Ford’s House. Quickly reports to Alice and Meg on her visit with Falstaff. Meg and Quickly hide when Falstaff comes to pay suit. His declarations are interrupted by Ford’s furious arrival. As Ford searches the house, Falstaff hides in a basket of dirty linen. Hiding elsewhere are Nannetta and Fenton. Their noisy kissing sidetracks Ford, who has other marital plans for his daughter. Alice orders the servants to toss the laundry basket – and its occupant – out the window and into the Thames River below.

Act III

Scene 1. The Garter lnn. Mistress Quickly persuades Falstaff that Alice is contrite and wants another assignation, this time at midnight under an oak in Windsor Forest. Alice and the other townspeople decide to frighten Falstaff by dressing up as elves fairies demons and wood sprites.

Scene 2. Herne’s Oak in Windsor Forest. Falstaff arrives disguised as a huntsman. The “forest spirits” torment Falstaff as part of the “Masque of the Fairy Queen,” which includes the wedding of Nannetta and Fenton. When they realize that they’ve been hoodwinked, Ford accepts his daughter’s marriage and Falstaff takes it all in good humor, declaring the world is but a joke.

Synopsis

Act I

Act II

Act III

Artists

Andrew Shore

Andrew Shore

Alwyn Mellor

Alwyn Mellor

Judith Christin

Judith Christin

Kathleen Kuhlmann

Kathleen Kuhlmann

Jill Grove

Jill Grove

Danielle de Niese

Danielle de Niese

Michael Hendrick

Michael Hendrick

Anthony Laciura

Anthony Laciura

Wilbur Pauley

Wilbur Pauley

Gregory Turay

Gregory Turay

Scott Hendricks

Scott Hendricks

Alan Gilbert

Alan Gilbert

Jonathan Miller

Jonathan Miller

Robert Israel

Robert Israel

Clare Mitchell

Clare Mitchell

Duane Schuler

Duane Schuler

Robert Wood

Robert Wood

Falstaff 2001