Falstaff by Verdi, on. 07 aug. 2013, Fra (2013/2013), I regi av Damiano Michieletto, Dirigent Zubin Mehta, Haus für Mozart, Salzburg, Austria

William Shakespeare (1564-1616), the most important author in the history of theater, also had a decisive influence on opera: his dramas inspired a large number of opera composers to set them to music. The development began as early as the 17th century ("The Fairy Queen" after "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Henry Purcell) and can be traced to our time. After an incomparable succession of tragic operas, Giuseppe Verdi ended his opera career at the age of almost eighty with a lyrical comedy. It is characterized by the fascinating richness of the musical means as well as the subtle drawing of the characters. Thus, the title character is portrayed not only as a comic hero, but also as a clever philosopher. Verdi's congenial librettist Arrigo Boito created a brilliant adaptation of Shakespeare's plays "The Merry Wives of Windsor" and "Henry IV." Verdi's "Falstaff" premiered in Milan in 1893. The opera has little in common with Verdi's previous stage works and, in terms of the quality of the libretto and the composition, in some respects points ahead to the 20th century. In his last opera, Verdi was not concerned with reviving a funny or ridiculous character in the tradition of Italian opera buffa, but with portraying a human character in all its nuances. In collaboration with the experienced librettist Arrigo Boito, a lyrical comedy was created that is unlike any other.