“Falstaff”: Giuseppe Verdi’s final opera, returns to the Sofia Opera stage thirty-nine years after its last performance. The current production is the third one in the Sofia Opera’s history.
“This is Verdi’s final opera. After his first attempt at writing a comedic opera, Rossini critiqued him and told him he wasn’t able to write an opera comedy. At the end of Verdi’s artistic and worldly path, he proved Rossini wrong. Verdi created this piece as an opera overview: in it you can find references to other operas by Verdi and to works from different composers. “A satire of opera and of life itself”, opera singer Milla Mihova shared at the studio of the “Bulgaria sutrin” show.
She stated this is the first time in opera literature a singular music vision is performed by three-four artists.
“This is a great challenge for an artist which requires an enormous level of concentration. Everything on stage is exceptionally dynamic and happens very quickly”, Mihova emphasized.
Opera singer Maria Radoeva confirmed the musical part to be the hardest.
“You have to know every other role, not just yours. The lines are all connected and they must be delivered in a natural way so the dialogue may flow”, Radoeva commented live at Bulgaria ON AIR.
Rehearsals are quite intense and today is the first dress rehearsal.
The opera’s message was summarized by Maria Radoeva: “Life is one big joke and it’s good not to take things too seriously. We play gossip girls, we see each other every day and share the latest gossip”.
The gossip is shared between four women friends and a lord is at the center of attention: he deserves to be punished for his behavior.
“The story is quite colorful. At the end of the performance, we come to the conclusion that he who laughs last, laughs the best”, Milla Mihova concluded.
The premiere of “Falstaff” is on the 27th and 28th of February. Further performances on the 1st and 2nd of March.
Watch the entire interview in the video below: