Falstaff (2000)
The Graham Vicks production of FALSTAFF opened the new Covent Garden Royal Opera House, and was not to everybody's taste; the garish primary colours of the costumes. The staging is effective--the complicated counterpoint of the ensembles is reflected in unobtrusive blocking that keeps the vocal lines clear and separate, especially in the final fugue. Bryn Terfel's Falstaff is a memorable creation, self-mocking and self-aggrandising at the same time--so much so, in fact, that he almost does not need the vast prosthetic body he has to wear for the part. Desiree Rancatore is an admirably sweet-toned Nanetta; Bernadette Manca di Nissa an appropriately sardonic Mistress Quickly; Roberto Frontali as Ford, in his Act 2 scena, perfectly distils and parodies every jealousy aria ever written, including Verdi's own. Haitink's conducting is exemplary in the lyrical passages, gets almost everything out of the fast and furious comic sections.
Cast
- Bryn Terfel - Falstaff
- Roberto Frontali - Ford
- Kenneth Tarver - Fenton
- Gwynne Howell - Pistol
- Robin Leggate - Dr Caius
- Peter Hoare - Pistol / Bardolph
- Barbara Frittoli - Alice Ford
- Desirée Rancatore - Nanetta
- Bernadette Manca di Nissa - Mistress Quickly
- Diana Montague - Meg Page
Screenplay
- William Shakespeare (Original Story)
- Arrigo Boito
Keywords
opera, england, servant, fairy, seduction, king henry iv, knight, disguise, laundry, gluttony
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Falstaff about?
- The Graham Vicks production of FALSTAFF opened the new Covent Garden Royal Opera House, and was not to everybody's taste; the garish primary colours of the costumes. The staging is effective--the complicated counterpoint of the ensembles is reflected in unobtrusive blocking that keeps the vocal lines clear and separate, especially in the final fugue. Bryn Terfel's Falstaff is a memorable creation, self-mocking and self-aggrandising at the same time--so much so, in fact, that he almost does not need the vast prosthetic body he has to wear for the part. Desiree Rancatore is an admirably sweet-toned Nanetta; Bernadette Manca di Nissa an appropriately sardonic Mistress Quickly; Roberto Frontali as Ford, in his Act 2 scena, perfectly distils and parodies every jealousy aria ever written, including Verdi's own. Haitink's conducting is exemplary in the lyrical passages, gets almost everything out of the fast and furious comic sections.
- Who directed Falstaff?
- Falstaff was directed by Humphrey Burton.
- Who stars in Falstaff?
- Falstaff stars Bryn Terfel, Roberto Frontali, Kenneth Tarver, Gwynne Howell, Robin Leggate, Peter Hoare.
- How long is Falstaff?
- Falstaff has a runtime of 2h 19m (139 minutes).
- What genre is Falstaff?
- Falstaff is a Comedy, Music film.
- Where was Falstaff produced?
- Falstaff was produced in United Kingdom.