OPERA
Falstaff
SCHEDULE
2022/2023 SEASON
Music by Giuseppe VERDI
Opera in 3 Acts
Sung in Italian with English and Japanese surtitles
OPERA PALACE
Supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan in the fiscal
10 Feb - 18 Feb, 2023 ( 4 Performances )
Running time is approx. 2 hours and 35 mins including one interval.
DETAILS
Falstaff is a comedy written by opera great Giuseppe Verdi near the end of his life, based on Shakespeare's famous plays "The Merry Wives of Windsor" and "Henry IV". A masterpiece brimming with unrivalled fun and life philosophy, the story centres on the greedy but lovable old knight Falstaff and his interactions with a group of lively, quick-witted women and young couples. Musically, the work was very progressive at that time, with finely crafted pieces full of excitement, including the nonet in Act 1 and Fuga Finale, featuring ten soloists and a chorus. In particular, Falstaff's show-stopping fugue finale 'Tutto nel mundo è burla' is the perfect end to the evening, and has become a regular feature at gala concerts and other events.
This production by Jonathan MILLER is a masterpiece of human insight, based on everyday life depicted in 17th-century Dutch paintings. The meticulous composition and tranquil colours of the stage are like something out of a Vermeer painting. This delightful comedy, full of engagement between the characters depicted, is a true paean to the human condition, to be enjoyed by those who have lived and loved.
An Italian baritone Nicola ALAIMO, well-known for his opera buffa repertoire, takes on the title role in this his much-awaited NNTT debut. The role of Alice is performed by soprano Roberta MANTEGNA, whose outstanding technique and expressiveness have made for accomplished performances across many European theatres. Marianna PIZZOLATO, very popular mezzo-soprano especially for her baroque opera and early music performances, appears as Mrs. Quickly. A passionate Mexican baritone Jorge ESPINO will play the role of Ford, with highly acclaimed bel canto virtuoso Corrado ROVARIS conducting.
[Covid-19] Our Prevention Plan and Request to Our Patrons
The performances will be taking place based on the policies of the Japanese government and the Tokyo Metropolitan government, along with the guideline for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 infection by the Association of Public Theatres and Halls in Japan.
Please read this page before visiting the theatre.
NEWS & FEATURES
2022/2023 Season Opera at the New National Theatre, Tokyo
SYNOPSIS
The amorous old knight Sir John Falstaff, who is proud of his portly belly, believes that Alice Ford and Meg Page are attracted to him and writes love letters to both in the hope of seducing them. Alice and Meg read the letters together and are amused to find that they are identical. Together with the quick-witted Mistress Quickly, they decide to teach Falstaff a lesson. Meanwhile, Ford also learns of Falstaff's plan to seduce his wife and sets out to punish the knight.
Mistress Quickly visits Falstaff and arranges the rendezvous with Alice at her house. In turn, Ford, in disguise, visits Falstaff and is shocked to learn he has already set up to meet his wife. Alice receives Falstaff but while he is wooing her, Meg interrupts and he hides in the laundry basket. Shortly after, Ford rushes in with his men to search the house for Falstaff, but instead, he finds his daughter Nannetta and Fenton kissing behind the screen. In amidst this mayhem, the laundry basket containing Falstaff is thrown into the Thames.
Falstaff, unrepentant, agrees to meet Alice again, this time in Windsor Great Park at midnight. As they meet, the spirits appear - in fact Ford and the townspeople in disguise, lead by Nannetta as the Fairy Queen - and they pinch and poke the terrified Falstaff until he finally repents. In the confusion, Nannetta and Fenton are married and Ford gives them his blessing. In the final fugue, Falstaff sings "everything in the world is a jest".
VIDEO
CREATIVE TEAM & CAST
CREATIVE TEAM
Conductor: Corrado ROVARIS
Production: Jonathan MILLER
Set and Costume Design: Isabella BYWATER
Lighting Design: Peter PETSCHNIG
CAST
Sir John Falstaff: Nicola ALAIMO
Ford: Jorge ESPINO
Fenton: MURAKAMI Kota
Dr. Cajus: AOCHI Hideyuki
Bardolfo: ITOGA Shuhei
Pistola: KUBOTA Masumi
Mrs. Alice Ford: Roberta MANTEGNA
Nannetta: MIYAKE Rie
Mrs. Quickly: Marianna PIZZOLATO
Mrs. Meg Page: WAKIZONO Aya
Chorus: New National Theatre Chorus
Orchestra: Tokyo Symphony Orchestra
- CREATIVE TEAM
- CAST
-
ConductorCorrado ROVARIS
ProductionJonathan MILLER
-
Sir John FalstaffNicola ALAIMO
FordJorge ESPINO
FentonMURAKAMI Kota
Mrs. Alice FordRoberta MANTEGNA
NannettaMIYAKE Rie
Mrs. QuicklyMarianna PIZZOLATO
Mrs. Meg PageWAKIZONO Aya
TICKETS
Booking Opens: Sun, 27 Nov 2022, 10:00am
*The tickets will be sold for all seats as normal (except the seats in rows 1-2 on the 1st Floor).
Booking Z seats (Day tickets) 1,650 yen
- You are able to purchase Z seat tickets online from 10:00 am. Click "BUY TICKETS" next to "Z" under each performance information.
- There is a handling charge of ¥330 (incl. tax).
- Only when seats allocated as Z seat are still available 2 hours before the show starts, you are able to purchase these tickets at the Box Office of the theatre.
- Note that all Z seats are on a first come, first served basis and will come with restricted views.
Concession Prices
Under 15s discounts and Z seats (Day Tickets) are available online. Other types of discount tickets are not available online. Please inquire at the Box Office or by telephone.
*Please note that further changes or cancellations may be required as the coronavirus situation develops or to comply with requests from the Government.
Please Note
- For Seat D of Opera performances, maximum of 2 tickets per person on the first day of ticket sale.
- No admittance to pre-school children. Each child older than this age requires a ticket for entry, even when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Tickets may not be changed or refunded except following conditions.
- When the performance is cancelled.
- In case you correspond to the conditions as mentioned on this page
- If you choose not to attend the performance due to prevent infection.
Please be sure to call the New National Theatre, Tokyo Box Office in advance.
At that point, we will tell you the Refund method.
- A special discount price is available for disabled guests. Please inquire at the Box Office for details.
- Users of wheelchairs are requested to contact the Box Office.
- Please note that cast or programme change may be required depending on the situation.