VERDI’s final masterpiece and his only major comic opera, “Falstaff” will see the impressive baritone Charles Johnston returning to Mid Wales Opera to take the title role for this year’s production opening at Newtown’s Theatr Hafren in September.
Charles took the title role of “Rigoletto” in a previous MWO production and has a regular major opera house and concert platform presence in a wide variety of roles.
“Falstaff” follows Verdi’s adaptations of “Othello” and the earlier “Macbeth” in bringing Shakespeare’s genius to the opera stage.
Based on the larger than life figure from Henry IV and The Merry Wives of Windsor, Verdi and his librettist Boito, use scenes from the plays to create a Falstaff full of life who is comically duped by his companions but turns the tables on his rival, secures a romantic union for the young lovers and emerges with the last laugh.
Falstaff’s rival “Ford” will be played by MWO audiences’ regular favourite, Welsh bass baritone Wyn Pencarreg who completes a trio of villainous roles for the company following his devilish performance in The Tales of Hoffmann.
More recently Wyn joined MWO’s new music director Nicholas Cleobury in hosting a “Come and Sing” Opera Choruses event at Theatr Hafren on June 26.
The event was for anyone who has wondered what it’s like to part of a Opera Chorus and involved workshops leading to a public performance at the end of the afternoon with Wyn on hand to offer advice and encouragement as well as entertain with demonstrations including a taste of the role of Ford.
Also returning to sing with MWO this year will be Gaynor Keeble as Mistress Quickly, Benjamin Segal in the tenor role of Fenton and Simon Wilding as Falstaff’s henchman Pistol.
The cast and Mid Wales Opera Chamber Orchestra will this year be conducted by Nicholas Cleobury in his first season for the company as its artistic and musical director. The vivid variety of Verdi’s sparkling music for Falstaff is perfectly suited for Mid Wales Opera’s ensemble approach.
The production is being developed in Mid Wales, using the resources of Theatr Hafren and Theatrical Production Management, based in Caersws.
It will be sung in English, in a translation from the Italian by Amanda Holden who continues a long association with MWO providing witty, engaging and singable texts for the Company.
The box office at Theatr Hafren is open for bookings on 01686 625007. Or visit their website on www.theatrhafren.co.uk for on-line sales.
Free pre-performance talks will be available. Performances take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 1, Friday September 3, and Saturday, September 4.
It will then tour extensively in Wales and England.