“Tutto nel mondo è burla… tutti gabbati!” Or in other words, “Everything in the world is a joke… we are all deceived.” It’s a bit of a tile saying, but old Verdi and his librettist Boito knew very well what they were doing.
In Falstaff, they show a world where everyone cheats everyone else. But that’s the way it is; we just have to accept it. So let’s laugh about it… This is how one of the best operas ever ends: with a smile and a big wink.
HERBERT VON KARAJAN
Recordings of Falstaff are legion on CD as well as DVD. One you absolutely can’t do without is the interpretation from Herbert von Karajan from 1956 (Warner 0190295935092). Under the supervision (direction?) of Walter Legge, the recording immediately became legendary and so it has remained.
Karajan had access not only the absolute best singers, but also a fantastic studio and recording director, the likes of which are no longer found. Titto Gobbi was born to sing Falstaff and a more beautiful Fenton than Luigi Alva simply doesn’t exist. I find the mannerisms of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf not always to my liking, but she is a convincing Alice, while Ford is sung by Rolando Panerai, who completely fits the bill. And then also Fedora Barbieri as Quickly… delicious.
https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify%3Aalbum%3A18yD5mhbGWwdOG8ODoEctc
COLIN DAVIS
Colin Davis’ 1991 recording for RCA (now Sony 8869745801-2) came pretty close, but does not quite match Karajan. This is partly down to the Bayerischen Rundfunks orchestra, but also to the recording quality.
Davis’ vocal ensemble is particularly strong, certainly by today’s standards, but apart from Marylin Horne, who can easily match Barbieri, the cast is still a rung lower. Rolando Panerai, with Karajan a Ford out of thousands, does less well as the ‘cosy fat man’, especially when compared to Gobbi.
Fantastic, on the other hand, are the supporting roles: with Brian de Palma (Dr Cajus), Davis brought in one of the best comprimari ever. In the small role of Pistola, we hear none other than Francesco Ellero d’Artegna.
Wiecej TUTAJ
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