Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Apr 21-26. Riccardo Muti's cycle of Giuseppe Verdi's three Shakespeare operas culminates in performances of Falstaff. With his incomparable musicianship, command of style and unique understanding of Verdi's genius, Maestro Muti will make Falstaff both a memorable highlight of the season and a crowning achievement of his Verdi performances in Chicago. Singing the title role is Ambrogio Maestri, "the most sought after Falstaff singer of his time" (The New York Times).