Giuseppe Verdi's Falstaff will kick off the eighth edition of the BOV Opera Festival on Wednesday, with a repeat performance on Friday, at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta.

The Italian theatre company Teatro Borgatti from Cento, in Italy, will be collaborating with the Manoel Theatre. Artistic direction will be in the hands of Gioanni Dispenza while Matteo Taverna is technical director and Philippe Partridge, stage assistant. Mro Michael Laus will be directing the National Orchestra.

The title role will be performed by Paolo Drigo alongside Valentina Coladonato in the role of Alice Ford. Luisa Mauro Partridge will be Meg, Francesca Bruni will perform as Nannetta, Carlo Riccioli as Ford, Francesco Marsiglia as Fenton, Simona Forni as Quickly, Luigi Maria Barilone as Dr Cajus, Dario Prola as Bardolfo and Gian Luca Breda as Pistola.

The three-act opera was Verdi's last, written in the composer's eighth decade, and only the second of his 26 operas to be a comedy.

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