Verdi’s masterpieces at Kadıköy’s Süreyya Opera House

ISTANBUL

Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s final masterpiece “Falstaff” will be premiered in Istanbul by the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet on April 7 at the Süreyya Opera House in the city’s Kadıköy district. 

A comic opera in three acts premiered in the world in 1893 at La Scala, Milan, the libretto of “Falstaff” was adapted by Arrigo Boito from Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and scenes from “Henry IV.” It was a huge international success and has long been an admired favorite for its inventive composition, brilliant orchestration and dazzling libretto. 

“Falstaff,” which was the last of Verdi’s 28 operas, as he was nearly at the age of 80. It was his second comedy, and his third work based on a Shakespeare play, following “Macbeth” and “Otello.” The plot revolves around the thwarted, sometimes farcical, efforts of the fat knight, Sir John Falstaff, to seduce two married women to gain access to their husbands’ wealth.

The opera, directed by Renato Bonajuto, will be performed in Italian. Roberto Gianola and Can Okan will alternately conduct the orchestra. Décor design has been overseen by Efter Tunç, costume design by Ayşegül Alev and lighting design by Yakup Çartık. The choir will be conducted by Paolo Villa. 

Among the performers are Işık Belen, Kevork Tavityan, Caner Akgün, Alper Göçeri, Murat Güney, Caner Akın, Ahmet Baykara, Çağrı Köktekin, Can Reha Gün, Engin Yavuz, Göktuğ Alpaşar, Ali Haydar Taş, Şebnem Ağrıdağ, Ayşe Sezerman, Deniz Yetim, Dilruba Akgün, Özgecan Gençer, Sevim Zerenaoğlu, Aylin Ateş , Deniz Likos, Nesrin Gönüldağ, Barbora Fritscher Hitay and Elif Tuğba Tekışık. 

After its premiere on April 7 at 8 p.m., the opera will be on stage until April 25 at the Kadıköy Süreyya Opera House.