MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Verdi: Falstaff (complete opera recorded in 2009)

"This Falstaff is immensely enjoyable and amongst the best that I have watched. I strongly recommend it whether you admire Verdi's last work or not. This is an amiable, pleasing production with an exceptionally fine cast and truly great performances from the orchestra and choir."
Recording of the Month MusicWeb Nov 2010)

The inspirational Vladimir Jurowski conducts Verdi's last opera, his only true comic opera. An international cast is led by Christopher Purves in the larger-than-life role of the corpulent Falstaff, whose profligacy both outrages and inspires the citizens of Windsor. Richard Jones's production brings out the humour, bitterness and anger - mixed with tenderness and wisdom - embodied in the Shakespeare plays on which the libretto is based. Filmed in High Definition and recorded in true surround sound.

'In the pit, Vladimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic hone their reflexes so that the instrumental guffaw, exclamation, explosive flourish leaps out at you. It's exciting and detailed and rhythmically so alive.' The Independent