Mosenthals libretto suffers by comparison with boitos. Character list sir john falstaff consistent with the image of the neerdowell companion of prince hal later to be henry v in several of shakespeares history plays, the falstaff of the merry wives of windsor is selfconsciously pompous and eloquent, selfpitying when the occasion arises, and always ready to exploit anyone man or woman. Giuseppe verdis falstaff 1893 with a libretto by arrigo boito has achieved. Full text of the merry wives of windsor, comic opera in three acts. Verdis last opera was only his second excursion into the comedy genre.
The merry wives of windsor folger shakespeare library. Libretto by arrigo boito, after shakespeares the merry wives of windsor. The merry wives of windsor is an opera in three acts by otto nicolai to a german libretto by salomon hermann mosenthal based on the play the merry wives of windsor by william shakespeare. Essentially, its a barrage of weak jokes at the expense of fat. M erry wives doesnt make much of an argument for shakespeares talent as a comedian. Opera the merry wives of windsor otto nicolai complete. An opera in four acts, the libretto based on shakespeares the merry wives of windsor sir john in love. Here is a brief the merry wives of windsor summary. Justice shallow, master slender, and sir hugh evans enter, discussing shallows anger at sir john falstaff.
Karl ridderbusch, helen donath, trudeliese schmidt, alexander malta, otto nicolai, rafael kubelik, symphonie orchester des bayerischen rund nicolai. The merry wives of windsor otto nicolai became one of the few onehit wonders among classical composers. The merry wives of windsor folger shakespeare library and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. The windsor of the plays title is a reference to the town of windsor, also the location of windsor castle, in berkshire, england.
The merry wives of windsor is an opera in three acts by otto nicolai to a german libretto by salomon hermann mosenthal based on the play the merry wives of. The opera is a singspiel, containing much spoken dialogue between distinct musical numbers. An opera in four acts, the libretto based on shakespeares the merry wives of windsor, with german translation by a. Only three merry wives operas, to which this paper is devoted, have stood the test. As this delightful tale of a womans quest for love unfolds, their burgeoning romance is hampered by mishap, intrigue and comedic misadventure. Evans changes the topic to the young anne page, whom he would like to see slender marry. The merry wives of windsor by nicolai, otto and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Raleighs shakespeares england and israel gollanczs a book of homage to. Iu opera theater presents brilliant comic romp the merry wives of. Sure and artful means will find 1 the merry wives of windsor, mrs. They arrive at master pages door, where shallow confronts falstaff and his entourage. The libretto, based on the shakespeare play by the same name, is by. On top of that, justice shallow and his youthful cousin, slender, have come to windsor because falstaff has conned them out of money. I am not sure how popular otto nicolais the merry wives of windsor actually is anymore, at least outside of.
The two merry wives of windsor are, however, well able for the. The opera remains popular in germany, and the overture is sometimes heard in concert in other countries. The cast of the merry wives of windsor breaks out in full 1970s dance. Merry wives of windsor gorin popp foster hightower 1965. Shakespeares comedy is on stage at folger theatre, january 14 march 1, 2020. Falstaff decides to woo the wives of two of windsors leading merchants, page, and ford, to get money out of them. Although some of his operas had success during his lifetime, it.
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