LA Opera Talk: Verdi’s Falstaff

In honor of Verdi’s 200th birthday, LA
Opera will present the crowning glory of the composer’s magnificent career, his
comic masterpiece Falstaff. James Conlon, praised for his mastery of
Verdi, conducts an unabashed celebration of Merrie Olde England’s lusty days
and bawdy nights at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. When Shakespeare’s portly
knight of Windsor hatches a plot to improve his love life by courting two
different married women, he launches a flood of comic chaos and romantic
misadventure. The libretto is by Arrigo Boito, based on William Shakespeare’s The
Merry Wives of Windsor.  The world
premiere was in 1893 at Teatro alla Scala, Milan.  This opera will be performed in Italian with English supertitles at the Dorothy
Chandler. 

At Crowell Library, on Sunday, October 20th,
an LA Opera Community Educator ED LIEB will present the background
and important facts as well as the great moments about this classic opera.  There will be a slide presentation with
music, and a very funny DVD.  Falstaff
was Verdi’s last opera, following a life of amazing output.   

Opera is not just magnificent music, dance and theater with astounding sets
on a beautiful stage; opera can sweep you away to foreign lands, take you back
in time, dazzle you with pageantry and bring history to life. It is literature,
social studies, cultural diversity, multiple languages and most of all, it is
exciting! Come explore the world of opera which has something for everyone.

This introduction to opera is absolutely free. Mark this date on the social calendar
as Crowell Library welcomes LA Opera’s 2013/2014 season on a high note.  Light refreshments will be served.