Hilarious comedy....an uproarious opera... . Tom Boyd's production returns the action to its English roots." (The Gloucestershire ECHO)

"Tom Boyd's splendidly witty and suitably irreverent new English translation..." (the OXFORD TIMES)

"An evening of delight and laughter...Tom Boyd turned it back into a very English entertainment... the English translation was a great treat." (Wilts and Gloucestershire STANDARD)

Boyd's English version counteracts the Teutonic-ness of Nicolai's stodgy German libretto by reinstating much of the original Shakespearean dialogue from the play, both spoken and in the singing, and restores several scenes and characters which Nicolai had cut, such as Mistress Quickly, Bardolph, Nim, Pistol and Robin, from the original comedy. The setting, as in Shakespeare, is mediaeval Windsor.

ACT I - Mistress Page and Mistress Ford receive letters from Sir John Falstaff

To read the words sung on the clip, click here

ACT I - Anne Page with her suitors Fenton, Slender and Dr Caius

To read the words sung on the clip, click here

ACT II Falstaff duet with Master Ford (disguised as Master Brook)

To read the words sung on the clip, click here

 

ACT III - Anne Page, as Titania, elopes with Fenton, as Oberon, in Windsor Great Park at Midnight

To read the words sung on the clip, click here

 Licensing agent: Bel Canto Opera, Poulton House, Cirencester Glos.GL7 5HW. email: belcanto.opera@btinternet.com

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