“Falstaff” is referred to as the “swan song” of the great Italian composer
The Kyiv Municipal Academic Opera and Ballet Theater (“Kyiv Opera”) will premiere Giuseppe Verdi’s comic opera “Falstaff” for the first time in Ukraine.
Based on the plots of Shakespeare's plays, “Falstaff” became the last of the 26 operas created by the great Italian composer. This opera is frequently performed on leading stages around the world, but it is hardly known in our country.
“Falstaff” is not performed anywhere in Ukraine; one could joke that Kyiv Opera is the exclusive representative of Verdi and “Falstaff” in our country,” said project initiator and artistic director Petro Kachanov in a comment to “Hromadske Radio”.
On the capital's stage, “Falstaff” will be presented in a Ukrainian translation by Maksym Strykh. The production involves conductor Vasyl Vasylenko, stage director and choreographer Heorhii Kovtun, set designer Andrii Zlobin, costume designer Hanna Ipatieva, and choirmaster Angela Maslennikova.
From a performance perspective, the opera is quite complex: unlike other Verdi operas, it has very few arias but features numerous ensembles.
“The opera ‘Falstaff’ is the composer’s ‘swan song’; it is a true musical extravaganza, a work filled with humor, brilliance, and extraordinarily refined musical dramaturgy. So, if you want to see and hear how comedic charm and profound life wisdom harmoniously blend within a single piece — visit the performance of ‘Falstaff’ at Kyiv Opera at the end of January,” notes conductor Vasyl Vasylenko.
The premiere of “Falstaff” at Kyiv Opera will take place on January 24 and 25.