Opera

Herbert von Karajan conducts Verdi's Falstaff

Günther Schneider-Siemssen (set designer), Herbert von Karajan (conductor) – With Giuseppe Taddei, Rolando Panerai, Francisco Araiza...

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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.

A closer look: composers and works

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