[ noun ] a dissolute character in Shakespeare's plays <noun.person>
Falstaff \Falstaff\ prop. n. Sir John Falstaff, a celebrated character in Shakespeare's historical play " Henry IV." (1st and 2d parts), and also in " The Merry Wives of Windsor." He is a very fat, sensual, and witty old knight; a swindler, drunkard, and good-tempered liar; and something of a coward. Falstaff was originally called {Sir John Oldcastle}. The first actor of the part was John Heminge. [Century Dict. 1906]
Note: Shakespeare found the name of John Oldcastle in the ... older play of "Henry V."; in the Chronicle he found a John Oldcastle, who was page to the Duke of Norfolk who plays a part in "Richard II."; and this, according to Shakespeare, his Falstaff (Oldcastle) had been in his youth. When the poet wrote his "Henry IV." he knew not who this Oldcastle was, whom he had rendered so distinct with the designation as Norfolk's page; he was a Lord Cobham [Sir John Oldcastle, known as the good lord Cobham], who had perished as a Lollard and Wickliffite in the persecution of the church under Henry V. The Protestants regarded him as a holy martyr, the Catholics as a heretic; the latter seized with eagerness this description of the fat poltroon, and gave it out as a portrait of Lord Cobham, who was indeed physically and mentally his contrast. The family complained of this misuse of a name dear to them, and Shakespeare declared in the epilogue to "Henry IV." that Cobham was in his sight also a martyr, and that "this was not the man." At the same time, he changed the name to Falstaff, but this was of little use; in spite of the express retraction, subsequent Catholic writers on church history still declared Falstaff to be a portrait of the heretic Cobham. But it is a strange circumstance that even now under the name of Falstaff another historical character is again sought for, just as if it were impossible for such a vigorous form not to be a being of reality. It was referred to John Fastolfe, whose cowardice is more stigmatised in "Henry VI." than history justifies; and this too met with public blame, although Shakespeare could have again asserted that he intended Fastolfe as little as Cobham. --Gervinus, Shakespeare Commentaries (tr. by K E. Bunnett, [ed. 1880), p. 800. [Century Dict. 1906]
Above all, this refers to Donald Maxwell's Falstaff, who glories in his girth with animal spirits even more untamed than five years ago; but it also concerns the sheer 'go' of WNO's female quartet.
Falstaff shares were quoted Friday at $11.25 bid, off $2, in over-the-counter trading.
Michael Kahn, the Folger's artistic director, asked what she'd like to do next, and she made her pitch for Falstaff.
The orchestra under James Levine, both here and in Falstaff, are luxuriously assured. Not so their colleagues at City Opera, who labour through Busoni's Doktor Faust in what is that opera's first New York staging.
Pountney's great gifts as a producer have never extended to eliciting humane detail from his operatic actors. When Falstaff is thus reduced to featherweight farce, the subtle insights of Verdi's masterly score cannot register.
One such variety, Falstaff, is already on the market and doing well.
He played Falstaff in both parts of "Henry IV" in 1951 and in "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in 1955.
The sextet from Donizetti's Lucia preceded the interval; but it was effaced by the great fugue from Falstaff, which brought together all the evening's soloists: Margaret Price as Alice, Della Jones as Meg, and so on.
Most of the comedy scenes are made out of leavings from Falstaff Mirella Freni takes the title-role in this new production at the Bastille. Experienced she certainly is but not, on this evidence, in decline.
What Falstaff has to say about honour is far more intelligent than the rantings and ramblings of a Glendower or a Hotspur.
And what of Falstaff, "unimitated, unimitable Falstaff," as Samuel Johnson called him?
And what of Falstaff, "unimitated, unimitable Falstaff," as Samuel Johnson called him?
He sang 'Non piu andrai' from Figaro, and the Honour monologue from Verdi's Falstaff - both Geraint Evans roles, both here given immense panache.
Newsweek detected "a genuine dramatic sensibility at work" in his "Plump Jack," a cantata about Falstaff.
And she sympathized with the two lackeys who haul Falstaff away in a laundry basket to help him escape the wrath of a jealous husband.
Best also had charged Falstaff with violating a contract under which Best distributed Falstaff products.
Best also had charged Falstaff with violating a contract under which Best distributed Falstaff products.
But all was calm and serene inside, where the princess watched a performance of Giuseppe Verdi's "Falstaff," which tells the story of Sir John Falstaff, Shakespeare's knight of the paunch.
But all was calm and serene inside, where the princess watched a performance of Giuseppe Verdi's "Falstaff," which tells the story of Sir John Falstaff, Shakespeare's knight of the paunch.
Part 1 has now arrived at the Barbican and looks better than ever. One of the reasons is the maturing of Robert Stephens's Falstaff.
The company, closely held Best Brands Beverage Inc. of Hamilton, N.Y., had sued Falstaff in 1985.
Tonight she was to attend the American debut of the Welsh National Opera, which will perform Verdi's "Falstaff" at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
It may be that Hal is just as troubled by the behaviour of his father: hence the affection for Falstaff.
A group that includes the estate of Paul Kalmanovitz, former president and chief executive officer of Falstaff Brewing Corp., said it is "exploring" a possible increase in its stake in the Vancouver, Wash., brewer.