Otto Nicolai

The Merry Wives of Windsor: Act 3, Scene 2, No. 12: O Suesser Mond

DIE LUSTIGEN WEIBER VON WINDSOR (THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR), the only German-language opera by Otto Nicolai (1810-1849), was primarily composed in the years 1845 and 1846. Set to a libretto by Salomon Mosenthal, based on Shakespeare's play, its postponed premiere gave Nicolai the opportunity to make some last-minute revisions. The first performance took place on March 9, 1849 at the Königliches Opernhaus in Berlin under the direction of the composer. Initially unsuccessful, it was cancelled after only four performances. After his death, the opera gained popularity. Sir John Falstaff, fond of drink and in search of lost youth, sends two identical love letters to two married women who quickly uncover his schemes. O SÜSSER MOND in Act 3, Scene 2, also known as the Moon Chorus, captures the moonlit scene in which they frighten Falstaff with a forest charade that gives him a dose of humility and a lesson learned. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 4.2.0.0: Timp: Perc(1): Hp: Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set): SATB Chorus.