Middlebury's Town Hall Theater to Screen FALSTAFF, 12/15

During curtain calls for the Met's recent Così Fan Tutte, when conductor James Levine rotated his wheelchair so he could face the audience, a prolonged ovation shook the building. He looked overcome and, perhaps, surprised. Many thought this day would never come.

Levine has overcome debilitating illness to return to the Met pit, where he transformed the Met orchestra over the past decades into the greatest opera orchestra in the world. His much-awaited return in Così Fan Tutte was a huge success, and opera fans everywhere are holding their breath as he returns to the pit for Verdi's Falstaff, which will be broadcast at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater on Sunday, December 15.

A fascinating video of Maestro Levine rehearsing a scene from the opera can be seen at http://www.metoperafamily.org/video/2013-2014/falstaff

Robert Carsen's new production - the first new Met Falstaff since 1964 - has garnered rave reviews. Ambroglio Maestri sings the role of the blustery Sir John Falstaff, opposite a marvelous ensemble cast that includes Angela Meade as Alice Ford and Stephanie Blyth as Mistress Quickly.

Falstaff will be screened live at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater on Sunday, December 15, at 1 pm. Tickets are $24/$10 students, and may be purchased at 802 382-9222, www.townhalltheater.org, at the THT Box Office (Daily except Sunday, noon- 5 pm) and at the door.

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