Falstaff

Falstaff is not among my favourite of Verdi's operas, but it is a pleasurable and fun opera with good tunes. So far, of the three productions I've seen of Falstaff my personal favourite is the one with Renato Bruson in the title role(though I love Bryn Terfel in the 1999 production and quite liked that too).

This Falstaff is probably my least favourite of the three, however that doesn't mean it's bad. In fact it is good and very interesting. If there are any problems I had it would be while the camera work is clear and shows signs of skill I did find it a little annoying that it focused too much on those who weren't singing. Also I heard that the characters' treatment of Falstaff was racially motivated.

If so, I would have liked it to have been explored more, this idea while unusual did interest me and the staging if this idea was intended didn't reflect that.

However the costumes are very elegant and the scenery is clever. The picture quality is clear, the sound is good and the orchestra and conducting doing complete justice to the score.

Loved the performances too. Willard White is not the fat and somewhat ridiculous figure, and the portrayal is more sombre too, I have often seen portrayed and what was created by Shakespeare, however that didn't detract from the performance for me. He is an attractive and virile presence, and his interpretation is exceptionally well sung and acted.

The supporting cast acquit themselves very well also, with Miah Persson on sparkling form as Nannetta and Marcus Jupither excellent as Ford.

Overall, unusual albeit interesting. 8/10 Bethany Cox