Guildhall Opera presents Nicolai's treatment of Shakespeare's original play ('The Merry Wives of Windsor'), which bursts with humour and Italianate melody while the orchestral writing is reminiscent of much of the German Romantic movement. First performed in Berlin in 1849, shortly before Nicolai's early and untimely death two months later, the opera follows the story of the fat knight Sir John Falstaff and his attempts to court two wealthy ladies. Clive Timms conducts; the director is Harry Fehr. (Sung in German with English surtitles. The performance on the Nov 10 is be preceded by a free performance by the Guildhall Opera Ensemble in the foyer at 6.15pm.)
