No opera gains more from familiarity in advance than Falstaff (and there will only be Chinese subtitles in this
production). The most sensational recording is one of the cheapest, made by Georg Solti back in 1964, with Geraint Evans, Robert Merrill, Mirella Freni and the RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra (Decca 417 168-2). He recorded another with the Berlin Philharmonic and Jose van Dam in 1993 (Decca 440 650-2), probably because the orchestra was regularly rated the world's best, but it doesn't compare for pace, force and scintillating brilliance with the earlier version.
As for a DVD, it's Karajan's, with Giuseppi Taddei and Christa Ludwig (SVD 48422), that gains the most plaudits on the Internet. It's currently on special offer at Chia Chia Record Store, Ximending (02 2312 3437) for NT$499.
Don't miss this opportunity to see one of music's greatest masterpieces in what promises to be a beautiful and innovative production. It's only playing twice and, perhaps because the work has never been performed before in Taiwan, there are seats available at most prices. Go to the first performance next Friday, and then treat yourself to a second visit on the following Sunday afternoon. Why not? Verdi's final masterpiece provides one of life's most exquisite and enduring pleasures.
Bradley Winterton is the author of Falstaff in Macau (Fairfield Books, 1995).
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