Herbert von Karajan conducts Verdi's Falstaff
Günther Schneider-Siemssen (set designer), Herbert von Karajan (conductor) – With Giuseppe Taddei, Rolando Panerai, Francisco Araiza...
Thank you for your understanding.
Cast
Günther Schneider-Siemssen — Set designer
Georges Wakhévitch — Costumes
Giuseppe Taddei — Sir John Falstaff
Rolando Panerai — Ford
Francisco Araiza — Fenton
Piero de Palma — Dr. Cajus
Heinz Zednik — Bardolfo
Federico Davia — Pistola
Raina Kabaivanska — Mrs. Alice Ford
Janet Perry — Nannetta
Trudeliese Schmidt — Mrs. Meg Page
Christa Ludwig — Mrs. Quickly
Peter Busse — Host
Alexander Schneider — Robin
Ballettschule Salburger Landestheater
Wiener Staatsopernballett
Program notes
“The whole world is a jest, man was born a great jester…” So goes the brilliant conclusion to Verdi’s Falstaff, an opera inspired by Shakespeare’s beloved comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor. The virtuosic score requires a particularly talented cast, not to mention a truly exceptional conductor. Herbert von Karajan perfectly fits the bill, and this performance featuring the Wiener Philharmoniker and an all-star group of singers is clearly worthy of Verdi’s powerful work, a masterpiece whose comic facade thinly veils the complex and sometimes even tragic characters’ struggles.