Verdi’s final opera, Falstaff, completed in 1893, is inspired by the character Falstaff in Shakespeare’s plays The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV. This rare comic opera showcases Verdi’s his mastery of composition, utilizing rapid and complex rhythms to convey the witty exchanges among characters. Directed by Jonathan Miller, the production seamlessly integrates music and drama. The concluding ensemble, ‘Tutto nel mondo è burla’ (Everything in the world is a joke), humorously encapsulates the life reflections of the composer at 80 years old.

Stage and costume designer Isabella Bywater faithfully captures the period of Shakespeare’s works by drawing inspiration from 17th century Dutch Golden Age paintings, recreating the everyday life of the European populace. The theatrical aesthetics make full use of light and shadow to bring out the authenticity and texture of the characters. For this production, the set, props, and costumes have been transported from Tokyo’s New National Theatre to Taiwan. Conducted by Jun Märkl, Music Director of the Taiwan Philharmonic (the National Symphony Orchestra, NSO), this opera brings together outstanding vocalists from both Taiwan and abroad along with the NSO, promising a richly meaningful operatic experience.

Conductor / Jun Märkl

Stage Director / Jonathan Miller

Revival Director / Maki Uebaru

Assistant Director / Miroku Shimada

Set & Costume Design / Isabella Bywater

Lighting Design / Peter Petschnig

Technical Director / Toshiyuki Hamasaki 

Chief Carpenter / Osawa Taku 

Lighting Supervisor / Suzuki Takehito

Vocal Coach & Rehearsal Conductor / HSU Chia-Chi

Chorus Master / WANG Yu-hsin

Rehearsal Pianist / KAO Chih-wei

Lead cast in 31st Oct. & 2nd Nov.

Sir John Falstaff / Lucio Gallo

Ford / CHEN Han-wei

Alice Ford / Misaki Morino

Lead cast in 1st Nov. & 3rd Nov.

Sir John Falstaff / Sergio Vitale

Ford / Ilhun JUNG

Alice Ford / Grace LIN

Nannetta / FAN Meng-fan

Mrs. Meg Page / CHENG Hai-yun

Mrs. Quickly / Jelena Kordić

Fenton / LIN Yi-wei

Dr. Cajus / CHUANG Yun-ray

Bardolfo / Kingston KUNG

Pistola / TSENG Wen-i

National Symphony Orchestra

NTT X CHEN-YUNG FOUNDATION Choir

Production of New National Theatre, Tokyo, created in 2004.