Falstaff is one of the great operas, a work which actually manages to enhance Shakespeare"s characters. Verdi was almost eighty when he broke his six-year silence following the premiere Otello, and startled the musical world by revealing this complete mastery of comic invention. It is true that much of the credit for this work of genius should be given to the librettist, Boito, who appears to have conceived the project from the beginning with a libretto of extraordinary brilliance. However, nothing can detract from the composer"s capacity for matching it with music of real wit and humor. In this excellent production from The Royal Opera, the title role is sung by one of the leading Verdi baritones, Renato Bruson. Stunning designs by Hayden Griffin and Michael Stennet provide the perfect setting for this witty masterpiece.