„Cheers for all involved!“

Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor / The Merry Wives of Windsor
Komisch-fantastische Oper von Otto Nicolai 

A wonderfully comic story by Shakespeare that has inspired numerous composers: Mrs Fluth and Mrs Reich, two married ladies, are simultaneously confronted with love letters from the impoverished nobleman Falstaff. But instead of taking revenge on him in the conventional way, the two turn the tables and decide to teach Falstaff a lesson characterised by fantasy rather than violence and coercion. Meanwhile, young Anna, Mrs Reich's daughter, goes one step further and fights for her love and the right to make her own choices, while her parents want to marry her off to other men. 

Otto Nicolai has composed magical music for the cheeky plot and the unique characters; not only is the overture considered a masterpiece, the entire opera shines with musical ingenuity. Under the direction of Nina Spijkers and with stage design by the multi-award-winning Rae Smith, the work shines like new. Vienna in 1918 becomes the scene of love, intrigue and entanglements and a stage on which humour ultimately triumphs.

The newspaper Der Standard wrote: ’At the end, there is rapturous applause and bravos for the ensemble, orchestra, conductor and leading team.’ The newspaper Kurier also commented: ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor is a gain for the Volksoper, both scenically and musically. (...) Cheers for all involved.’ Now the production returns to the programme. Make sure you get your tickets!

Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor