Falstaff- A Review by Jane Kneller |
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As someone whose previous experience of opera has been limited to Gilbert & Sullivan the prospect of Falstaff aroused vague interest. After all Shakespeare was known to pen a good story and this tale was based on the Merry Wives of Windsor so it should be OK! The theatre was 100% full and I was reliably informed that "Milton Keynes is very fond of the Welsh National Opera and regularly sells out". So far so good. We wait for the event to start and then a gentleman comes out on stage with the announcement that the singer for the lead character has to withdraw due to a leg injury. Muted sighs of disappointment flow around the theatre. However, Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel has agreed to return and fill the role that he had finished earlier in March. The theatre erupted with gasps of delight and enthusiastic (putting it mildly) applause. And so the entertainment began. The sets were minimal but clearly reflected Elizabethan design and the costumes were beautiful and of that period. Even so the excellent lighting made it easy to imagine that the action was actually happening in Italy. This could be a personal thing ie. Singing in Italian and all that sunlight! Wherever you sat you were involved in the action as the cast swept the entire audience into their devious and hilarious plotting. Initially I had a problem with reading the English translation on the surtitle (?) above the stage and following the action but once you realised that a brief glance now and then would suffice, you were free to enjoy the excellent acting and the singing. The singing was sublime and supported by an excellent orchestra which included in its range of instruments a beautiful harp, because it was Welsh? I don't know, but again people who know these things told me that the music was certainly well above average and I believe them! There was a slight delay at the end of the second interval as there was an incident in the auditorium which involved having to call an ambulance for a collapsed gentleman. This was quickly and quietly attended to causing little disruption and we all hope that he will recover soon. The evening was a great success and my companion and I will now both be looking forward to when this company returns and we can once again join others from Milton Keynes who is "very fond of the Welsh National Opera". Jane Kneller |