Falstaff is Giuseppe Verdi's final work, composed to a libretto by Arrigo Boito, loosely inspired by Shakespeare's comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor. This is not the first time Verdi drew inspiration from the Bard's works: almost 50 years earlier, he had conceived his famous Macbeth. Falstaff stands out in Verdi's production because it is one of his only two comedies (the first being an early work, Un giorno di regno). In this piece, everything is a farce, as evidenced by the words in the final act: "Everything in the world is a jest. Man is born a jester."
The plot follows the adventures of Sir John Falstaff, a jolly, fat, and crude knight who finds himself in a difficult financial situation. He comes up with the idea of solving his troubles by trying to seduce two wealthy women from the small town of Windsor, Alice Ford and Meg Page. However, the two women uncover Falstaff's plan and decide to play a trick on him, along with the other characters. It is on this cheerful note that Giuseppe Verdi's operatic career concludes...
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Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi is an irresistible and witty opera-buffa, inspired by William Shakespeare's famous play The Merry Wives of Windsor. Composed by Italian genius Giuseppe Verdi, this opera is considered one of the pinnacles of the classical music repertoire. Thanks to platforms like medici.tv, the premier platform for streaming classical music, opera lovers from around the world can now experience this exceptional work from the comfort of their homes. Falstaff first premiered in 1893 at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. This comedic opera was enthusiastically received by the audience and quickly became one of the most beloved operas in the repertoire. The vivacious characterization and lively humor of Falstaff make him an iconic character in Italian opera, and productions of this opera continue to charm music enthusiasts worldwide.
Falstaff by Verdi, a comedy inspired by Shakespeare, is available for streaming on medici.tv!
The plot of Falstaff unfolds in the English town of Windsor in the 15th century. The opera features the charismatic and mischievous character of Sir John Falstaff, an aging and amorous knight. Falstaff, burdened by debt, hatches a bold plan to seduce two wealthy ladies in town, Alice Ford and Meg Page, with the aim of extorting money from them. However, the women—who are hatching a plot—discover the scheme and decide to play a prank on Falstaff to ridicule him. The libretto of Falstaff was written by Arrigo Boito, a talented Italian poet and composer, who skillfully captured the comedic spirit of Shakespeare's play and translated it brilliantly into an opera. The work is a tour de force of vocal and orchestral writing, offering lively ensembles and brilliantly characterized solo numbers, showcasing the composer Giuseppe Verdi's musical mastery. Shakespeare was a constant source of inspiration for Verdi throughout his career, and Falstaff is a brilliant demonstration of his ability to bring Shakespearean characters to life on the operatic stage. Moreover, don't hesitate to explore our other works inspired by Shakespeare!
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Thanks to the medici.tv platform for streaming classical music, both novices and experts can now enjoy this magisterial opera, Falstaff by Verdi, from the comfort of their homes. With the best video on-demand (VOD) streaming quality and live concert broadcasts, medici.tv offers an immersive and unique experience for all classical music enthusiasts. Our content is available live, in replay, and VOD, accessible from your phone through our website or our iOS app, as well as on your big screens via AirPlay, Chromecast, and now, Roku! Don't miss the opportunity to listen to Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi, as well as his other works like La forza del destino or Luisa Miller. Immerse yourself in the comedic and witty world of Falstaff and be swept away by the grandeur of Giuseppe Verdi's opera.