The Arts are presented at the Verdi with 'Falstaff' in a production by Mario Martone with musical direction by James Gaffigan

• Ambrogio Maestri, Falstaff of reference, encapsulates the element, which includes Ainhoa Arteta, Violeta Urmana and Mattia Olivieri in the main papers
• The young public, at the end of 28 years even, will be able to earn only 10 euros from the preview of this opera on Thursdays that they see, 19 euros.

Valencia (01/15/21). The Palau de les Arts opens at the Verdi with the latest opera, 'Falstaff', which premieres on June 21, in a production by Mario Martone with musical direction by James Gaffigan.

Les Arts has presented its first operatic foray in 2021 at a press conference in the presence of Jesús Iglesias Noriega, artistic director; James Gaffigan, musical director; the director of the revival, Raffaele di Florio; and the singers Ambrogio Maestri and Ainhoa Arteta.

“Verdi's work is one of the works in which the artistic project that we will present in two years is based, in which a title like this one could not be missing, essential in the repertoire of great theaters,” explained Iglesias Noriega.

Iglesias has pointed out that "with 'Falstaff,' the composer of Busseto completes his musical testament, which he will project with 'Otello': an exquisite score, with sophisticated orchestration and the highest musical and dramatic demand for the singers, with a masterful book by Arrigo Boito, in which humor and poetry flow in a perfect union with the music."

Per all, 'Falstaff', according to the artistic director, is an exercise in difficulty for any theater, which requires solid stable performances, with the Cor de la Generalitat and the Valencian Community Orchestra, along with a distribution and a top-level musical director.

After his debut at the Auditori with 'A German Requiem' last season, New York native James Gaffigan directs his first opera at the Arts. Considered one of the most relevant North American orchestral conductors on the musical scene, he is a common name in the opera seasons of the Metropolitan of New York, the Paris Opera or the Munich Staatsoper, among others.

Les Arts presents Verdi's twilight comedy in a production by the Berlin Staatsoper with stage direction by Mario Martone, set design by Margherita Palli, costumes by Ursula Patzak, lighting by Pasquale Mari and choreography by Raffaella Giordano and Anna Redi.

Martone, Italian director, screenwriter and producer, has both theater and opera together with a relevant film career. Linked in the 90s to the new wave of Neapolitan cinema, together with figures such as Antonio Capuano, Pappi Corsicato, Toni Servillo and Paolo Sorrentino, he stands out in his various works for a very personal discourse on his native country.

Martone's proposal translates the action into reality, in a large metropolis, with its graffiti, dubious reputation clubs and anachronistic personalities. Sir John Falstaff became a rebel spirit, faithful to his signature leather jacket and his old whiskers, who spent his time in a kind of community center alongside his turbulent personalities.

A choral distribution

Ambrogio Maestri returns to the Arts six years after his debut in 'Nabucco' to once again star in the film of Sir John Falstaff. A baritone with a regular presence in the great theaters of Europe, Asia and the State Units, he will emerge as the great interpreter of the leading role after embodying it with success at La Scala, the Salzburg Festival, the Metropolitan and the Paris Opera, also with Zuric, Munic and Tòquio.

After her celebratory recital of 'Lied' last November, Ainhoa Arteta sings her first opera in the Arts. The soprano from Gipuzkoa, one of the most internationally acclaimed Spaniards, performs the role of Alice Ford, with which she has achieved great successes in theaters such as the San Francisco Opera and London's Covent Garden.

Violeta Urmana, one of the great ladies of the lyrical scene, as well as one of the favorites of the Arts public, makes her debut in this role in this production. Urmana, who has previously played in Valencia roles such as Kundry ('Parsifal'), Iphigénie ('Iphigénie en Tauride'), Medea or Eboli ('Don Carlo'), presents a new foray into the 'mezzo-soprano' repertoire to play Mrs. Quickly.

Mattia Olivieri, one of the brightest students who trained at the Center de Perfectionament del Palau de les Arts, gives life to Mr. Ford. The Italian baritone has highlighted the Arts with his seus treballs in titles such as 'La bohème', 'L'elisir d'amore', 'Così fan tutte' and the duo of 'La Africana'. Currently, he is one of the essential artists in the apartments of La Scala de Milà.

Contrast performers complete the cast of the production, with Sara Blanch (Nanetta), Ana Ibarra (Mrs. Meg Page), Juan Francisco Gatell (Fenton), Jorge Rodríguez-Norton (Dr. Cajus), Antonio Di Matteo (Pistola) and the singer of the Center de Perfection, Joel Williams (Bardolfo).

Les Arts will perform 'Falstaff' on June 21, 24, 27, 29 and 31 in the Main Hall. In order to comply with both the decreed measures, all performances will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Pre-release ends on the 28th

On the other hand, every day that you see, the Main Hall of the Arts will host the first 'Preview at 28' of any time, after the release of 'La Cenerentola', by Rossini, for which all venues will be sold out last month of December.

Jesús Iglesias Noriega has valued “in a very positive way” the acceptance of this activity that allows young people, from the end to 28 years even, to enjoy an opera performance for only 10 euros.

“The tickets for 'Falstaff' are also practically sold - he points out -, which is incredible news, not only for the arrival of our audiences to the Arts but also for the growing interest of the youngest in the opera.”