The Merry Wives of Windsor

By: William Shakespeare

Narrated by: Full Cast

Sir John Falstaff has very little money upon his arrival in Windsor, and sets out to court two wealthy wives in the hopes of fattening his coin purse. The two clever wives—Mistress Page and Mistress Ford—discover Falstaff’s plot, but instead of rejecting him, set out to have some fun at his expense.

Known as “The Bard of Avon,” William Shakespeare is arguably the greatest English-language writer known. Enormously popular during his life, Shakespeare’s works continue to resonate more than three centuries after his death, as has his influence on theatre and literature. Shakespeare’s innovative use of character, language, and experimentation with romance as tragedy served as a foundation for later playwrights and dramatists, and some of his most famous lines of dialogue have become part of everyday speech.

Indifferent Transfer of a Classic Recording

Would you consider the audio edition of The Merry Wives of Windsor to be better than the print version?

This Caedmon recording from 1966 is outstanding in every respect. In addition to the wonderful cast, the production is first rate. It should be pointed out, however, that the transfer available on Audible is inferior to the original LP in a few respects. Whereas the original vinyl was in stereo (which made it easy to distinguish the dialogue of characters speaking simultaneously), the transfer here is in mono, thus obviating many of the production effects intended for stereo listening. Many of the musical cues present on the original record are either trimmed or removed outright. Still, the transfer has far greater clarity than the old vinyl copy that I have previously heard, which in the case of Shakespeare is certainly preferable.

old recording

not Shakespeare's best. morality tale with bullying and antisemitism

old recording lacking full overtones.