Six stars for Falstaff National Opera

After partially or even completely failed productions of Falstaff The National Opera now does everything right. Twenty years after the previous attempt in the Holland Festival, Verdi's last opera gets a dream performance that could only just become audience favourite of the entire festival.

And that for a dramatic comedy, a genre that is notoriously difficult to stage. Too often, the opera about the old, fat knight Sir John Falstaff, for whom life revolves around eating, drinking and seducing women, becomes too much of a farce, taking refuge in irony or in contrived directorial concepts, but here...

Ho: six stars, that's not possible at all, five is the maximum.

OK, five stars then. Stars, which incidentally emerge beautifully at the second part of the third act, when the imposing scenery breaks open and Nannetta sings her aria disguised as an elf queen. A splendid role by...

Hold on! Is it really that good?

Yes, and more than that. Everything is really right here. You can hardly fill the title role better than with Ambrogio Maestri. Not for nothing did he already sing this role at the Theatro alla Scala in Milan, during the Salzburg Festival, in New York and London. But all the other roles, too, are excellently cast, from Massimo Cavelletti (Ford) to Paolo Fanale (Fenton), not to mention the ladies.

Let me guess. All top too?

Yes indeed. Who doesn't fall in love with Fiorenza Cedolins (Alice), Marite Beaumont (Meg), Daniela Barcellona (Mrs Quickly) and Lisette Oropesa, who as a fairy queen...

Yep, we know. And the orchestra?

The best orchestra in the world: the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. And before you ask, no, not led by chief Maris Janssons. On the baton is Daniele Gatti, tipped by some insiders as Janssons' successor. Although British newspapers last year described Gatti's approach as too German, the RCO shows that the years under Riccardo Chailly have not yet been forgotten. It results in the right at Falstaff so important perfect balance between orchestra and soloists.

Ok, but good soloists and a good orchestra do not guarantee a good performance.

Exactly. But director Robert Carsen finds just the right balance between Italian temperament and British humour. He moves the opera, which is largely about class, to 1950s England, complete with nouveau riche and decrepit nobility in tweed jackets. Moreover, Carsen's direction is very musical. Wonderful, for instance, how he also uses images to work towards the fugue that concludes the opera.

Decors?

Breathtaking. Rarely experienced, but twice spontaneous applause breaks out just at the sight of Paul Steinberg's sets. From the huge bed at the beginning to the imposing restaurant, from the dark forest near Windsor to the big final party. The highlight is the second scene of the second act in which the entire width of the stage is used for a gigantic kitchen with dozens of cupboards, which, when the jealous Ford is looking for Falstaff, also turn out to be crammed. In less than no time, the stage is littered with kitchen utensils.

And who should clean it all up?

We'd rather not think about that. The fact is that after the interval, everything is gone. Common thread throughout the opera is excessive eating and drinking. Even the horse is excellently directed.

Excuse me, a horse?

Yes, that eating hay while Falstaff licks his wounds after climbing out of the waters of the Thames. It is just one of many beautiful details in this overwhelming performance.

Standing ovation?

For everyone, indeed. And rightly so. This is absolute world-class.

With ditto price tag?

The first-class tickets are the most expensive at 160 euros at this Holland Festival. But there are also much cheaper tickets. Each one worth every euro cent. Think of it as eating out really well once.

So was there nothing at all to criticise?

Well forward, it was very hot in the auditorium during the premiere.

What do we do about it?

Bring a bottle of water. Or go to Oosterpark on 28 June. Then the opera can be seen on a big screen.

Also 160 euros?

No, absolutely free. Tip: bring well-stocked picnic basket. Bon appetit!