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Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi at Dresden Opera House [ From category News ] [ Article date: 2025-09-17 ] [ From city Dresda ] [ Country Germania ]   Dresden, 17 September 2025. Following a 15-year absence from Dresden, Verdi`s Falstaff returns to the Semperoper on Sunday, 5 October 2025, in a fresh staging. This premiere also gives Daniele Gatti his first opportunity to conduct an opera in his position as Principal Conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden. Back in 2003, audiences at the Semperoper enjoyed four performances of Falstaff conducted by Maestro Gatti. Acclaimed for his insights into Verdi`s music, Daniele Gatti regards this final stage work by the revolutionary master of opera as a miraculous achievement, occupying a unique position in the composer`s oeuvre as well as in the canon of Italian opera: “This great and complex study of human nature rewards repeated exploration.” In the lively production by Damiano Michieletto, who made his directorial debut at the Semperoper in 2021 with Rossini`s La Cenerentola, Falstaff is conceived as a whimsical character study. Here the aging playboy is presented as a faded rock icon clinging to former glory who deliberately chooses to ignore the jibes of those around him. For his interpretation, Michieletto has brought set designer Paolo Fantin back to Dresden to create the richly coloured stage design, while the distinctive lighting for this new production has been created by another long-time collaborator, Alessandro Carletti. The vibrant and diverse costumes have been produced by Agathe MacQueen, already well known to local audiences for her work at the Staatsschauspiel Dresden. Italy`s Nicola Alaimo will take centre stage in the title role of Sir John Falstaff. Regarded as one of the leading baritones of his generation, Alaimo has already portrayed this complex role with its ever-changing emotional register on numerous occasions, earning international acclaim for his magnetism, musicality and dramatic force. He will be joined by Eleonora Buratto, performing the role of Alice Ford. The Italian soprano made her Semperoper debut in 2018 as Mimì in La bohème. In February this year she also appeared in Dresden as one of the soloists in Verdi`s Messa da Requiem at the Staatskapelle`s 6th Symphony Concert. The premiere audience can also look forward to performances by Rosalia Cid (who joined the Semperoper ensemble last season) in the role of Nannetta, and Nicole Chirka as Meg Page. The role of Mistress Quickly will be played by Canadian contralto Marie-Nicole Lemieux, who recently captivated audiences in the Staatskapelle`s 1st Symphony Concert with a performance of Gustav Mahler`s Rückert-Lieder. This first premiere of the second Dresden season under the artistic direction of Nora Schmid also looks back to Mefistofele, which opened the previous season: the libretti to both operas were written by Arrigo Boito. Though initially sceptical of Verdi`s music, Boito later became a valued and creatively inspiring collaborator. His contribution is considered pivotal to the emergence of the composer`s late style, and especially to the creation of this remarkable final work. With this staging of Falstaff, the Semperoper is launching a season that includes no fewer than twelve new productions – of which eight are operas – as well as numerous revivals. In March 2026, Principal Conductor Daniele Gatti will return to the pit of the Saxon State Opera for the premiere of a new production of Richard Wagner`s beloved Parsifal. Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi Staged by Damiano Michieletto Premiere at 6 pm on 5 October 2025 in the Semperoper. Additional performances on 8, 12, 15, 17 and 24 October 2025. With Nicola Alaimo, Eleonora Buratto, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Rosalia Cid, Nicole Chirka, Lodovico Ravizza, Juan Francisco Gatell, Didier Pieri, Marco Spotti and Simeon Esper Also on stage: The Saxon State Opera Chorus. The Staatskapelle Dresden will play under Principal Conductor Daniele Gatti. Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation. Tickets for Semperoper events can be purchased from the Schinkelwache box office on Theaterplatz (+49 (0) 351 4911 705). Alternatively, book your tickets and reserve seats via our online ticket shop, which offers a 3D-seating plan of the Semperoper auditorium.

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