{"product_id":"814337012533","title":"Andrea Battistoni - Verdi: Falstaff - Import Blu-ray Disc","description":"\u003cp\u003eCredits:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAndrea Battistoni\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDescription:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Falstaff\" featuring the maestro—who also sang the title role during La Scala’s Japan tour—and the young conducting prodigy Battistoni!! Performed at the Teatro Farnese in Parma! With Japanese subtitles!\n\nThis is a recording of *Falstaff* performed at the Verdi Music Festival in Parma in October 2011. It is particularly rare to see the opera staged not at a traditional opera house, but at the historic Farnese Theater. Ambrogio Maestri, who also sang Falstaff during La Scala’s Japan tour in September 2013, is perfectly cast in the role. The fact that he comes across as somehow comical despite his imposing stature and commanding presence is the very essence of the real Falstaff. Svetla Vasileva portrays a rather striking Alice—sharp-witted and strong-willed, yet brimming with sensuality. Luca Sarsi, as her husband Ford, comes across as a petty little man despite his pompous demeanor, and the balance between this married couple works perfectly. Meanwhile, Antonio Gandia’s passionate Fenton and Barbara Barnegi’s timid Nannetta also make a fine pairing. Others, such as Daniela Pini as Meg and Romina Tomasoni as Mrs. Quickly, are all perfectly cast in their respective roles. Conductor Andrea Battistoni was already quite the talk of the Verdi community at the time, and his upcoming visit to Japan was eagerly anticipated. Even *Falstaff*, which often tends to become overly symphonic, takes on a truly vibrant quality under Battistoni’s baton, with music that truly brings the lyrics to life. Stephen Medcalf’s staging makes the most of the Farnese Theater’s soft, wood-rich interior, with a set design that evokes the old-world atmosphere of Shakespeare’s era. That said, it is by no means a retro-style production; it is packed with delightful stage gimmicks, making for an thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience.\nKing International\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"C Major","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53595606319393,"sku":"814337012533","price":6390.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/8482\/2076\/files\/814337012533.jpg?v=1790481893","url":"https:\/\/cdsvinyljapan.com\/products\/814337012533","provider":"CDs Vinyl Japan Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}