Ailyn Pérez returns to the Met on February 22nd in the role of the discerning and clever Alice Ford in Verdi’s delightful romp Falstaff. It is widely held that librettist Arrigo Bolto coaxed Verdi out of retirement for one last score, and we are the lucky beneficiaries of his effort. Considered a riff on Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor, Falstaff is often regarded an ensemble piece. And what an ensemble it is! Baritone Ambrogio Maesti returns in the womanizing role of Falstaff, soprano Golda Schulz delights as Nannetta, Marie-Nicole Lemieux performs Mistress Quickly, Jennifer Johnson Cano commands the stage as Meg, Francesco Demuro charms us as Fenton, fellow Latinx Juan Jesús Rodríguez sings Ford, and the exquisite Ailyn Pérez confounds the cunning Falstaff as Alice Ford. Richard Farnes makes his deubt at the Met as a conductor. Under the direction of Robert Carson, this frolic occurs in post-war Britain, as Alice turns tables on Falstaff’s bluster and helps Nanetta marry her true love. A comedic opera with an unusually agreeable ending, this is not to be missed.
Tickets and additional information here.