The music is sparkling, full of charming melodies and peppered with arias, and duets.
Michael William Balfe (1808 – 1870) wrote Falstaff for four of the great singers of his day Giulia Grisi (soprano), Luigi Lablache (bass), Giovanni Battista Rubini (tenor), and Antonia Tamburini (baritone). The premiere took place on Thursday July 19th, 1838 at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London to a packed house with Balfe receiving several curtain-calls.
On Thursday 25th September 2008, Opera Ireland and RTÉ celebrated the bicentenary of the birth of Michael William Balfe by presenting the first performance of the composer’s comic bel canto opera Falstaff since its hugely successful première in London in 1838.
Critics praised unanimously praised the production with The Irish Times lauding the ensemble performances. Maestro Marco Zambelli showed a unique empathy with the music while The National Chamber Choir of Ireland provided a full-voiced chorus.