First seen in 2009, Richard Jones’s zany production of Verdi’s comic opera makes a most welcome return to Glyndebourne.

A second viewing proves to be just as enjoyable, with comedy heightened by new touches and thrilling debut performances.

Shakespeare’s story is taken out of its Tudor setting and relocated to the 1947 mock-Tudor world of Windsor where that monstrous tub of lard, Sir John Falstaff, tries to lay his hands on two merry wives and the fortunes of their husbands.

His comeuppance is delivered in two great scenes – the humiliation of being stuffed into a laundry basket and subsequently ejected into the Thames, and the nightmare haunting in Windsor Great Park.

Laurent Naouri brings a powerful voice to the title role as well as a strong sense of comedy, while Roman Burdenko makes his Glyndebourne debut as Ford, the jealous husband. His aria Is It A Dream Or Reality? is delivered with a forceful passion.

The quality of singing is excellent throughout, with Ailyn Perez and Elena Tsallagova’s providing bell-like clarity in their arias.

Added pleasure comes from conductor Mark Elder’s delicate control of the Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment, who play with period instruments of Verdi’s time.