Review: Verdi’s Falstaff at the Royal Opera House
AFTER THE furore over that rape scene inflicted on Rossini’s Guillaume Tell, the Royal Opera may be relieved to be back on safe territory with a revival of Canadian director Robert Carsen’s 2012 production of Falstaff.
His staging might not commit any outrages; though it does not much enhance Verdi’s late, great work, either. Carsen fast-forwards the story from Shakespeare’s Elizabethan era to Windsor of the 1950s.
The result is grandiose and flashy, more an excuse for costume designer Brigitte Reiffenstuel’s retro frocks and duster coats than a commentary on life in post-war England. Paul Steinberg’s cumbersome set of panelled walls represents the Garter Inn as a posh hotel, or as a clubroom where elderly gentlemen hide behind newspapers at the approach of Falstaff and his scruffy minions.
Ford’s house, where the Fat Knight gets his comeuppance for pursuing Alice Ford, has a laminated dream kitchen as seen only in Hollywood films. It is more Mid-West than Windsor. The star of the evening is Italian baritone Ambrogio Maestri. He amply fills the title role, which he has sung more than 250 times.
His voice is as rich as chocolate tiramisu, and he brings to the part a mellow generosity, softening the portrayal of Sir John Falstaff from ruthless sponger to roguish old uncle.
His henchmen Bardolph (Alasdair Elliott) and Pistol (Lukas Jakobski) slot into a nice “Little and Large” act. Young soprano Anna Devin is a delightful Nannetta, the Fords’ independent-minded daughter, and Peter Hoare is in his element as her would-be suitor Dr Caius.
Ainhoa Arteta is an elegant and lively Alice, teaming up with Merry Wives Meg Page (Kai Ruutel) and Mistress Quickly (Agnes Zwierko) to teach her husband (Roland Wood), as well as Falstaff, a lesson.
The final scene misses the fairy tale atmosphere of the midnight masque, though Devin’s Fairy Queen sounds ethereal.
The Royal Opera Orchestra, conducted by Michael Schonwandt gives a beautifully paced performance.
Verdi’s Falstaff HHHII Royal Opera House, London WC2 (Tickets: 020 7304 4000/ roh.org.uk; £7-£163)
