Shakespeare's greatest comic character was designed to display the weaknesses that his young friend-the future king of England-would need to leave behind.

But he turned out to be just as loveable as he was irresponsible. And when Shakespeare killed him off, Queen Elizabeth herself asked that he be brought back for yet another play. 

He's been in the spotlight ever since.

In this hour, Sir John Falstaff in music by Salieri, Verdi, Elgar, Vaughan Williams and more.