Verdi's "Falstaff"

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. "Falstaff" was Verdi's first and only comic opera. True False

2. "Falstaff" would be Verdi's last opera. True False

3. Apart from Verdi, other composers have found the character of Falstaff irresistable. Which of these eminent composers did NOT write an opera about Falstaff, though he did write a "Falstaff" symphony. Otto Nicolai Edward Elgar Ralph Vaughan Williams Gustave Holst

4. Prior to Verdi's "Falstaff", a prominent Italian composer of the 18th century had written an operatic version of "The Merry Wives of Windsor" entitled "Falstaff"; who was he? Luigi Cherubini Domenico Cimarosa Antonio Salieri Giovanni Paisiello

5. At the beginning of their collaboration on "Falstaff", Verdi had written to Boito that "We must squeeze all of the juice from this Shakespearean orange and leave none of the useless pips in the glass." Boito accordingly made a number of changes to the plot of Shakespeare's "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in creating his libretto for "Falstaff". Which of these was NOT one of them? Reduced the weddings at the end from three to two. Dispensed with the characters of Justice Shallow, Slender, and Sir Hugh Evans Played down the romance between the two young lovers. Removed an episode in which Flastaff disguises himself as a woman.

6. Boito's libretto includes material from the two "Henry IV" plays, as well as "The Merry Wives of Windsor." True False

7. The title character excepted, only three other characters in the large cast have what could be termed an aria. Which of the following is NOT one of them? Fenton Mistress Quickly Nanetta Ford

8. What is the subject of Falstaff's monologue in Act I, scene I? Wine Love Food Honour

9. What musical feature is particularly remarkable about the ensemble, beginning "Del tuo barbaro diagnostico", near the end of Act I, scene 2, in which the men and women, on different sides of the stage, separately conspire against Falstaff? The men and women sing in different time signatures. The men and women sing at different times. The men and women are in different keys. The men are in a major key while the women are in a minor key.

10. Mistress Quickly is dispatched to arrange a liason between Falstaff and Alice Ford. By what title does she repeatedly address Falstaff, with great comic effect? Reverenza (Your reverence) Sire Mio signore (My lord) Signore cavaliere (Lord cavalier)

11. Quickly repeatedly uses the phrase "Povera donna!" ("Poor lady!") to refer to either Mistress Ford or Mistress Page. The melody Verdi sets this phrase to is nearly identical to that used in the recitative of another opera to set these same two words. Which opera is it? (Hint; the recitative precedes the aria "Sempre Libera") La Forza del Destino Rigoletto La Traviata Don Carlo

12. Ford arrives at the Garter Inn, giving his name as "Fontana" ("Brook" or "Fount"). He brings a bottle for Falstaff (which prompts the latter to comment approvingly that this "fount" flows with wine) and offers himself as a go-between to court Alice Ford (his wife) for Sir John (part of his plot to entrap the old knight). He is astounded to learn that Falstaff, in fact, has already arranged an assignation with Mistress Ford. In his great monologue "E sogno? O realta!", Ford grimly imagines himself as a cuckold and bitterly inveighs against the duplicity of women. This aria bears some resemblance, in substance, to Figaro's "Aprite un po quegli occhi" from Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro". It also bears some musical resemblance as well, in its use of this instrument, which Mozart used with similar comic effect. Trombone Oboe French horn Clarinet

13. Act II, scene 2 begins with the women gleefully anticipating the imminent arrival of Sir John. One of them, however, is weeping; which one? Mistress Quickly Meg Page Nanetta Alice Ford

14. When Falstaff arrives at the Ford household, Alice Ford greets him playing this instrument. Lute Lyre Recorder Clavier

15. What musical device does Verdi use in the orchestration of Falstaff's Act III monologue "Mondo ladro. Mondo rubaldo" to suggest the warming and invigorating effect of the mulled wine on Falstaff's spirits? Glissando Rallentando Pizzicatti Trill

16. The "Pizzica, pizzica" ensemble in Act III, scene 2, in which the cast torments Falstaff, is one of the most brilliant ensembles in the opera. Is there an actual song in Shakespeare's play at this point, on which the ensemble is based? Yes No

17. To whom does Dr. Caius find himself married after the double wedding near the end of Act III? Robin Bardolph Pistol Mistress Quickly

18. What musical form did Verdi use (rather to his own amusement) for the concluding ensemble of "Falstaff"? Fugue Passacaglia Gigue Chorale

19. The text of the final ensemble is not taken from either "The Merry Wives of Windsor" or the "Henry IV" plays, but is derived from a speech from this Shakespearean comedy. Love's Labours Lost As You Like It Much Ado About Nothing Twelfth Night

20. Verdi wrote, in all, three operas based on Shakespeare: "Macbeth", "Otello", and "Falstaff". He had also planned to write an operatic version of this play which, like "Falstaff", would also feature an aging protagonist. Which play was it? King Lear Henry VIII Henry IV The Tempest