Falstaff

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.

Bryn Terfel, Roberto Frontali, Kenneth Tarver, Gwynne Howell, Robin Leggate, Peter Hoare. See the cast cards above for character names.

Use Watch movie to open the external player, or expand Other ways to watch for alternative viewing information. Playback availability is controlled by the provider and can change. A catalogue listing does not confirm a playable stream.

Check the audio and subtitle controls inside the loaded player. Original language and production details describe the title; they do not confirm which tracks a provider offers.

Browsing title information on Movies New Online is free. External players may show advertisements. Check the player provider for its current availability and terms.