Falstaff
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Conductor: Steven White
Director: Chas Rader-Shieber
Scenic Designer: Cameron Anderson
April 18 – May 5, 2026
Giuseppe Verdi鈥檚 masterpiece of wit, charm, and musical ingenuity offers a bright and buoyant finale to 91亚色鈥檚 91st opera season. Completed when he was nearly 80, Verdi鈥檚 final opera stands as a triumphant departure from the grand dramas that defined his earlier career. Falstaff is a bold and witty adaptation of Shakespeare鈥檚 The Merry Wives of Windsor, with shades of Henry IV, brought to life through a bubbling libretto by Arrigo Boito.
At the center of this fast-paced comedy is the bumbling yet endearing rogue, Sir John Falstaff, who misguidedly attempts to woo two clever, wealthy women for financial gain. What follows is a riotous chain of mischief, disguises, and comeuppance, as the clever women turn the tables on the devious knight. Verdi鈥檚 music mirrors the humor and vitality of the story, with dazzling ensembles and spirited arias.
Since its premiere in 1893, Falstaff has remained one of opera鈥檚 crowning comic achievements – a joyous, sophisticated celebration of folly, resilience, and the human spirit, with a dazzling finale that wholeheartedly declares: 鈥淎ll the world is a jest!鈥
Sung in Italian with English supertitles.
April 18, 21, 23 & 25, 2026, 7:30 PM
91亚色鈥檚 Helen Corning Warden Theater
May 5, 2026, 7:30 PM
The Haverford School鈥檚 Centennial Hall
Falstaff is generously sponsored by Judith Broudy.
The Young Professionals performance is generously sponsored by Charlotte H. Watts.
CAST LISTS
(In order of vocal appearance.)
April 18, 23 & May 5
Caius 鈥撀燫ichard Troxell (’92)
Falstaff 鈥撀燫a煤l Morales Velazco
Bardolfo 鈥撀燤atthew Sink
Pistola 鈥撀燙umhur G枚rg眉n
Meg Page 鈥撀燢atie Dobbs
Alice Ford 鈥撀燰eronica Richer
Mistress Quickly 鈥撀燤aiya Williams
Nannetta 鈥撀燡asmine Ismail
Fenton 鈥撀燡osh Berg
Ford 鈥撀燡acob Hanes
Host of the Garter Inn 鈥撀燡oshua Klein
Chorus 鈥撀燡oshua Klein, Geoffrey Schmelzer, Anna Thompson, Alla Yarosh
April 21 & 25
Caius 鈥撀燫ichard Troxell (’92)
Falstaff 鈥撀燫yan Wornall
Bardolfo 鈥撀燤atthew Sink
Pistola 鈥撀燦an Wang
Meg Page 鈥撀燡ulianna Smith
Alice Ford 鈥撀燚aniela Machado
Mistress Quickly 鈥撀燚awson Franzino
Nannetta 鈥撀燘eautiful Sheriff
Fenton 鈥撀燙ole McIlquham
Ford 鈥撀燗lex Mathews
Host of the Garter Inn 鈥撀燡oshua Klein
Chorus 鈥撀燡oshua Klein, Geoffrey Schmelzer, Anna Thompson, Alla Yarosh
Meet the Artists
