Falstaff
Falstaff, a character from William Shakespeare's operas, has inspired operas of the same name by Michael William Balfe, Antonio Salieri and Giuseppe Verdi, and also Edward Elgar's symphonic study Falstaff. Otto Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor, Vaughan Williams' Sir John in Love and various other works are also based on this character.
A selection of articles about Falstaff
Profile. Creativity, Imagination and Curiosity - Ron Bierman talks to American mezzo Stephanie Blythe
Ensemble. Glorious New Directions - Roderic Dunnett looks ahead to 2018 and celebrates more of the best English provincial opera from 2017, at Garsington, Longborough and Winslow Hall
Ensemble. Alive and Well - Comic operas in Berlin, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. Stylish Women - Verdi's Falstaff in high definition, live from New York, by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Brilliant Ideas - Verdi's Shakespeare trilogy in Ravenna, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. A Conductor's Opera - Verdi's 'Falstaff' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. New Tricks? - Giuseppe Pennisi discusses a sexy 'Falstaff' at La Scala
Ensemble. Complex Orchestration - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the Verdi Festival, which is short of money but not of ideas
CD Spotlight. Seductive Lyricism - Walton and Barber Violin Concertos, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Bowes is wonderfully convincing on all counts.'
Ensemble. The Quality of Mercy - Verdi's 'La Forza del Destino', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi
A Rich Resource - Teresa Verde explains how Theodore Deacon makes opera come alive
Ensemble. Limpid Clarity - 'The Barber of Baghdad' by Peter Cornelius, experienced by Mike Wheeler
DVD Spotlight. A Glorious Time - Purcell's 'The Fairy Queen', recommended by Robert Anderson. '... tender expression and all requisite vim.'
Ensemble. A Perfect Falstaff - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the Vienna State Opera
Ensemble. The Quality of the Cooks - Verdi comic operas on stage, tasted by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. Alive and Well - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences Zeffirelli's latest 'La traviata'
Ensemble. Sing ye to the Lord - Roderic Dunnett was at the 2009 Hereford Three Choirs Festival
A Real Find - Robert Davies made a remarkable impact when he stood in as Papageno late in the run of English Touring Opera's 'The Magic Flute'; Roderic Dunnett profiles him and celebrates the progress of other ETO cast members
Ensemble. Truly Enjoyable - Maria Nockin was at Los Angeles Opera's 'La Traviata'
DVD Spotlight. Some point? - Tony Britten's 'new version' of Verdi's Falstaff, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Shame on him ...'
DVD Spotlight. Engaging Integrity - Mark Dexter plays Peter Warlock, recommended by Robert Anderson. '... a triumphant success ...'
Scrupulously Done - Andrew Barnett's 'Sibelius', read by Robert Anderson
Ensemble. A Bright Future - Malcolm Miller was at the final night of the 2008 BBC Proms in London
Ensemble. A Wonderful Experience - Maria Nockin visits Santa Fe for operas by Verdi, Mozart, Britten and Handel, plus the first American performance of Kaija Saariaho's 'Adriana Mater'
Ensemble. A Sumptuous Display - Verdi's 'Don Carlo' at LA Opera, appreciated by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Joyous and Well-paced - A semi-staged Verdi's 'Falstaff' in Cleveland, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz
Ensemble. Witty and Entertaining - 'Sir John in Love', reviewed by Robert Hugill
Scholarship and originality - David Bury explains the merits of Robert Anderson's new book 'Elgar and Chivalry'