January 15, 1999
Giuseppe Verdi's final and most comedic work, Falstaff, opens San Diego Opera's 1998-99 International Season with a long-awaited return to the Civic Theatre stage Saturday, January 23, 1999. San Diego audiences have waited twenty-one years for the return of this comic masterpiece that will include an all-star cast of familiar artists, as well as seven debuts.
This production marks the San Diego directing debut of Ian Campbell, the company's General Director for the past 15 years. Campbell directed several opera productions in his native Australia but has not taken on that role since coming to the United States. "When I came to San Diego Opera in 1983 I said that I would not direct an opera until I felt comfortable that the Company was in good enough situation that I could give a production the attention it deserved," Campbell said. :That time has come, and I couldn't think of an opera I would rather have as my directing debut in this city than Falsaff, one of my all-time favorites."
Making his San Diego Opera debut in the title role is Welsh baritone Phillip Joll. Returning to San Diego Opera are favorites Deborah Riedel as Alice Ford, Bruce Fowler as Fenton and David Malis as Ford. The rest of the cast includes San Diego debuts by Annelies Chapman (Nannetta), Sharon Graham (Dame Quickly), Carla Wood (Meg Page), Paul Ferris (Dr. Caius), Peter Blanchet (Bardolfo) and Wilbur Pauley (Pistola). Italian conductor Edoardo Müller, a beloved veteran of San Diego Opera performances, returns to lead the orchestra.
Performances are Saturday, January 23 at 7 p.m.; Tuesday, January 26 at 7 p.m.; Friday, January 29 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, January 31 at 2 p.m. and Wednesday, February 3 at 7 p.m. Subscriptions start at $93 and can be ordered by calling (619) 232-7636.
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