German romanticism and Italian charm – plus a comedy by the great Shakespeare: all this inspired Otto Nicolai to write his “comic-fantastic” opera. How the ” Lustigen Weiber von Windsor” (Merry Wives of Windsor) literally lead the complacent knight Sir John Falstaff, who is noticeably past his best days, around by the nose, is a cabinet piece of musical characterisation art.
Image above: Die lustigen Weiber, Photo: Monika Rittershaus
First performed in March 1849 at the Hofoper Unter den Linden, this work by the Berlin court conductor Nicolai quickly became a favourite in the repertoire. Mozart’s spirit and Mendelssohn’s esprit are just as palpable as southern bel canto, energy, playfulness and theatrical comedy. Lyrically and musically, the characters gain individual profiles, while the buffonesque, sometimes hook-lashing plot adds the rest, including the different atmospheric tones of the individual scenes with their day and night sides.
For a long time, the musical comedy was no longer on the State Opera’s repertoire – now it returns to the place of its premiere.
Music: Otto Nicolai
Text: Salomon Hermann Mosenthal
based on William Shakespeare
Musical direction: Thomas Guggeis
Staging: David Bösch
Stage design: Patrick Bannwart
Costume: Falko Herold
Light: Michael Bauer
Actors: Sir John Falstaff: René Pape, Herr Fluth: Roman Trekel, Herr Reich: Wilhelm Schwinghammer, Fenton: Linard Vrielink, Junker Spärlich: Magnus Dietrich, Dr. Cajus: David OšTrek, Frau Fluth: Evelin Novak, Frau Reich: Michaela Schuster, Anna Reich: Victoria Randem
WHEN?
Dates:
06.05., 13.05., 15.05., 21.05., 28.05.2022, 7 pm
18.05.2022, 6 pm
Duration: about 3 hours including an interval after the 2nd act.
WHERE?
Staatsoper Unter den Linden
Unter den Linden 7
10117 Berlin-Mitte
Tickets: +49 30 20 35 45 55
www.staatsoper-berlin.de
