Verdi’s final opera Falstaff, is back at the Shanghai Grand Theatre to kick off the 2025–2026 season. This one’s a comedy—quick-witted, fast-paced, and full of clever ensemble work. Directed by British talent Harry Fehr and featuring stars like Sun Li and Francesca Manzo, it's a lush, cheeky dive into Shakespearean mischief, reimagined in the retro charm of the 1950s.

Composed when Verdi was 80, Falstaff stands as a testament to his late-career brilliance, matching the grandeur of Otello. Adapted by librettist Arrigo Boito from Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV, the opera follows the misadventures of a down-on-his-luck aristocrat with warmth and wit rather than scorn. Its intricate choral and ensemble writing showcases Verdi’s musical genius while demanding precision and flair from the performers.

This acclaimed production, originally staged in 2016 to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, reunites an international creative team for its 2025 revival. With its bold 1950s–60s aesthetic and inventive direction, the Shanghai Opera House breathes new life into Windsor’s whimsical world. Praised for its stylish vision and dynamic performances, Falstaff remains a standout in the company’s repertoire, inviting audiences to rediscover Verdi’s comedic gem.

• Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
• Librettist: Arrigo Boito
• Conductor: XU Zhong
• Director: Harry Fehr
• Revival Director: ZHANG Qingxin
• Set Designer: Alex Eales
• Lighting Designer: Davy Cunningham
• Costume & Makeup Advisor: Mark Bouman
• Chorus Master: Martin Wright
• Vocal Coach: Alessandro Amoretti

• Sir John Falstaff: SUN Li
• Ford: Piero Terranova
• Fenton: CAI Chengyu, Juan de Dios Mateos
• Cajus: YU Haolei
• Bardolfo: ZHENG Yao
• Pistola: YU Yang
• Alice Ford: XU Xiaoying
• Nannetta: Francesca Manzo
• Mrs. Quickly: WANG Xiaoxi
• Meg Page: WANG Bihua
• Chorus: Shanghai Opera House Chorus
• Orchestra: Shanghai Opera House Orchestra
• Dance: Shanghai Opera House Dance Troupe