Verdi: Falstaff (Busseto, 2001)


Cast: Ambrogio Maestri (Sir John Falstaff), Roberto Frontali (Ford), Juan Diego Flórez (Fenton), Ernesto Gavazzi (Dr Cajus), Paolo Barbacini (Bardolfo), Luigi Roni (Pistola), Barbara Frittoli (Alice Ford), Inva Mula (Nanetta), Bernadette Manca di Nissa (Mrs Quickly), Anna Caterina Antonacci (Meg Page), Walter Valdi (Landlord of the Garter Inn), Ilaria Canova (Robin), Chorus and Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Riccardo Muti (conductor), Ruggero Cappuccio (director), Pierre Cavasillas (television director)

Recorded at the Teatro Verdi, Busseto, 10 April 2001

Issued on DVD in 2002 by RAI Trade and EuroArts Music in north America (2051279, NTSC/all regions, with menus in English and subtitles in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish) and Europe (1051279/DV-OPFAL PAL/all regions with subtitles in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish)

Technical Details
Picture Format 16:9 anamorphic
Sound Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, PCM Stereo

Running time 118 minutes

Sung in Italian
Verdi's masterpiece Falstaff was given in the tiny theater in Busseto by the forces of La Scala - undoubtedly one of the highlights of the Verdi Centenial Year in 2001. Cappuccio's direction, using historical costumes by Carlo Poggioli, provided a very detailed and true rendition of this work. Consistently fine acting allowed a traditional production to avoid staginess.

The singing proved very good to excellent. Maestri seems to have found the perfect role in Falstaff, since his large frame works to advantage here. His voice is beautiful and multi-colored with a secure and easy top. At home in both piano passages and the more dramatic moments, this singer is certainly one of the finer baritone/basses around today. Flórez, while not having that much to sing, pleases with his limpid tone and beautifully floated notes. Frontali does not come to this high level but nonetheless is very good as Ford.

Among the women, Manca di Nissa stand out with rich lower notes and exemplary acting. Anna Caterina Antonacci makes the most out of Meg and proves that it is no small role. Barbara Frittoli phrases beautifully; a bit of initial stridency at the top softens as the evening progresses. Others have floated Nanetta's lines more purely than Mula whose vibrato is a bit much for my taste.

Due to the very small theater (328 seats), the orchestra is vastly reduced in size and the transparency of the score led so beautifully by Maestro Muti comes across crisply. The playing is exact and tempi are brisk. The sets are minimal, exploiting gorgeously painted backdrops. I cannot think of a better tribute to Verdi than this opera in this venue with this cast. The sound and picture quality are clear and crisp. The lighting is appropriate and video direction is unobstrusive giving the viewer the feeling we are experiencing a great evening of opera.
 
Related website:
Euroarts www.euroarts.com
 
Marco Schmid, 8 January 2004
mrcshmd13@aol.com

See also Michael Richter's Introduction to the DVD, for a list of other reviews see the DVD Project page.