Press Release

Falstaff Opens Toledo Opera Season

Toledo Opera presents Giuseppe Verdi’s effervescent comic opera Falstaff on November 7, 13, and 15 at the Valentine Theatre. Based on William Shakespeare’s notorious rascal, Falstaff is a mercurial, quicksilver musical masterpiece from a composer at the height of his genius. Its underlying theme is that “in life, we are all fools and he who laughs last, laughs best.” Set in 15th- century England, the opera will be sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage.

“It is not often that a man’s strength is so immense that he can remain an athlete after bartering half of it to old age for experience; but the thing happens occasionally, and need not so greatly surprise us in Verdi’s case.” said George Bernard Shaw. Best known for his 26 tragedies like La Traviata, Rigoletto and Otello, Verdi attempted only two comic operas in his long career—his first and his last. According to legend, Falstaff was prompted in part by a colleague’s assertion that “Verdi was incapable of writing a comic opera.” At the age of 78, after almost fifteen years of retirement, Verdi teamed with Arrigo Boito, a noted librettist and poet whom Verdi had previously collaborated. Working in secret for two years, the pair unveiled Falstaff in 1893 to immediate and resounding acclaim.

Boito’s libretto is one of the most significant and succesful adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays in all of opera. It captures the delicacy and wit of the dramatist’s comedy and the prodigious personality of Shakespeare’s rotund antihero.

Falstaff follows the antics of Sir John Falstaff, a portly old cad who, finding himself short of drinking funds, decides to write love letters to two wealthy married women in an attempt to talk them out of money. Discovering his trickery, the women decide to teach Falstaff a lesson. They lure him into several humiliating situations, even dumping him into the River Thames in a basket full of dirty laundry. Falstaff eventually concedes his defeat, but boasts that “Were it not for the spice I give your lives when you laugh at me, your lives would be really boring.” General Director Renay Conlin says that “the opera teaches us an important lesson in learning to laugh at ourselves.”

Peforming the role of Alice Ford is the “authentic blond beauty” (Opera News magazine) Barbara Shirvis, whose luminous soprano has been heard in Toledo Opera’s productions of Roméo et Juliette and Pagliacci. She will be joined in her escapades by Indian soprano Priti Gandhi playing the role of Meg Page. Ms. Gandhi’s recent performances include appearances with the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, San Diego Opera, the National Theater of the Czech Republic in Prague, and Seattle Opera. The incorrigible character Falstaff will be played by baritone Scott Bearden, First Prize winner in the 2008 Irene Dalis Vocal Competition, and winner of the 2nd Chester Ludgin American Verdi Baritone Competition, where he was judged by a jury comprised of three opera greats: tenor Placido Domingo, mezzo-soprano Mignon Dunn and conductor Julius Rudel. Alice’s jealous husband will be sung by Victor Benedetti, who has performed with Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, and the Washington National Opera. Other cast members include Joanna Mongiardo as Nannetta, Michele Angelini as Fenton, Margaret Lattimore as Dame Quickly, Jamin Flabiano as Bardolfo, Jeffrey Tucker as Pistola, and John Tiranno as Dr. Caius. Grammy Award-winning Thomas Conlin takes the podium as conductor and James Marvel, director of last season’s Salome, stages the action.

All performances are preceded by informal, pre-opera chats designed to make your opera experience more enjoyable. Single ticket prices for Falstaff begin at $25.00 and may be purchased online at toledoopera.org or by phone at 419-255-SING (7464). Discounts are available for students, seniors, and groups of ten or more.

Performances are on Saturday, November 7 at 7:30pm, Friday, November 13 at 7:30pm, and Sunday, November 15 at 2:00pm at the Valentine Theatre.