Libretto
Arrigo Boito after the comedy "The merry wives of Windsor" by Williiam Shakespeare
Premiere
9 February 1893, Milan (La Scala)
Cast
SIR JOHN FALSTAFF (baritone)
FORD (baritone)
FENTON (tenor)
DR CAIUS (tenor)
BARDOLPH (tenor)
PISTOL (bass)
MRS ALICE FORD (soprano)
NANETTA (soprano)
MRS QUICKLY (mezzo-soprano)
MRS MEG PAGE (mezzo-soprano)
HOST OF THE GARTER INN (silent)
CHORUS
burghers and commoners, Ford's servants, masquerade of elves, fairies, witches etc.
Place
Windsor
Time
The reign of Henry 1V of England (1399 - 1413)