In the third act, Falstaff is seen at his old haunt, the Garter Tavern, musing on the rascally world and calling for mulled sack to soothe his ruffled feelings. While in this mood, he is approached by Mrs. Quickly with an elabo rate explanation that the buck-basket episode was no fault of the lovely Alice and that she fain would see him again. A little flattery does the work and Falstaff agrees to a midnight meeting at Herne's Oak, he to be in the dis guise of the Black Huntsman. It is a weird company which awaits his arrival in Windsor Forest. Fenton is Oberon, Nannetta the queen of the fairies and there are troops of hobgoblins, sprites and elves. Falstaff is no lag gard in love but is on hand at the stroke of midnight dressed as Herne the Huntsman. The supernatural bevy lies low while he greets his mistress but, at a signal from Bardolph, they fall upon him and pinch him, claw him and roll him about until he cries for mercy. Finally the breath less old sinner recognizes Bardolph by his red nose and begins to suspect that he has " been made an ass of." Page thinks to celebrate the fat knight's discomfiture by the marriage of his daughter to Caius who is to be disguised as a monk ; but it is Fenton behind the cowl and the true lovers are united instead. Page is inclined to be forgiving and everybody goes off to supper, still shaking with laughter over the night's adventure.
" Falstaff " is in every respect a remarkable work.
It was composed when Verdi was eighty years of age but shows no signs of falling off in power. On the con trary, musical authorities esteem it to be his masterpiece, albeit the general public has been slow in its acceptance of the great work. It is filled with the spirit of youth and of joy. It ripples with laughter and true musical humor from beginning to end, although not without occasional moments of exquisite tenderness. Boito's libretto borders on perfection, one critic declaring it " probably the best written and planned book ever presented to a composer." He has translated Shakespeare with love and respect and has preserved admirably the spirit and the English flavor. When " Falstaff " was first presented at La Scala Theatre, it was acclaimed one of the greatest works ever heard within those famous walls.
As to notable passages in the opera, which has, by the way, no overture nor prelude there may be mentioned an effective chattering quartet in E major for the women's voices, unaccompanied, the reading of Falstaff's love-let ters; the " Honor " soliloquy ; the ensemble music of the second act, the buck-basket episode ; the fat knight's famous scherzetto, " When I was page to the Duke of Norfolk's grace; " the love duet of Nannetta and Fenton ; Nannetta's song in the scene of the haunted forest and the wonderful vocal fugue which brings the work to a close.