The Chicago Opera Theater (COT) is set to present the Chicago premiere of “Falstaff, ossia le tre burle” by composer Antonio Salieri and librettist Carlo Prospero Defranceschi.

The opera will feature a cast that includes bass-baritone Christian Pursell as Sir John Falstaff as well as soprano Vanessa Becerra as Mistress Ford, tenor Andrew Morstein as Master Ford, Tzytle Steinman as Mistress Slender, bass-baritone Peter Morgan as Bardolfo, and recent Ryan Center alumni baritone Laureano Quant as Master Slender and soprano Denis Vélez as Betty.

Singer-turned-conductor Christine Brandes and director Robin Guarino, both making company debuts, will lead the production.

The production will mark the 200th anniversary of the death of composer Antonio Salieri in 1825.

In a statement, the Chicago Opera Theater General Director Lawrence Edelson said, “COT’s upcoming production of Falstaff is the perfect introduction to the company’s unique brand of opera — one that makes opera immediate and alive—visually striking, emotionally charged, and musically thrilling. We look forward to welcoming first time COT audiences to this irresistible comedy and to all of our future performances through the Discover COT ticketing program.”

The production run from Dec. 3 through 7, 2025.

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