Falstaff at Grand Théâtre de Genève

Falstaff is a work perfectly suited for the Opéra des Nations and is the older Verdi’s last, ultimate and absolute masterpiece. A modern and personal score, composed at the age of 75, the opera is based on Shakespeare’s comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Arrigo Boito, Verdi’s friend and confidant, persuaded him to return to his desk and compose the comic opera he had long hesitated to write. Verdi gives free rein to the aches and moans of the human heart and ends it all with a huge peal of laughter. Writing for his pleasure only, Verdi completely overhauls his compositional style, frees himself of the strictures of 19th century convention and follows his fancy to offer his audience a work coming straight from his heart. Verdi’s final bow on the opera stage shows the triumph of a man smiling at the world after having dealt with all of life’s vicissitudes. Is it his philosophy of life? Is it his swansong? “Tutto nel mondo è burla.”