Falstaff

This 26th and final release in the Tutto Verdi series returns to Parma, near the composer's birthplace, although this 2012 mounting is staged at the Teatro Farnese rather than the more often used Teatro Regio, making for a more intimate production. In a somewhat wistful, almost melancholy interpretation of Verdi's late-in-life 1893 masterpiece, the comic elements are slightly muted, while the sets and costumes are generally rather dark. Regardless, from a musical standpoint the company certainly has the measure of this classic work, adapted by Arrigo Boito from Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV. Andrea Battistoni conducts with a genuine appreciation for the flow of the score, eschewing crowd-pleasing set-pieces in favor of a more unified approach. Ambrogio Maestri, while less boisterous than he was in a recent Zurich production (VL-11/12), is in superb voice as the old rascal whose attempt to romance two wealthy matrons leads to his humiliation. Although not quite on the level of the rival Zurich or Glyndebourne (VL-7/10) versions, this Parma staging boasts numerous strengths, overall. Presented in DTS 5.1 (DTS-HD 5.1 on the Blu-ray release) and PCM stereo, extras include a brief intro to the opera. Recommended. (F. Swietek)