Published as a comical-fantastical work in three acts with dance (komisch-phantastische Oper in 3 Akten mit Tanz), its structure is musical numbers linked by spoken dialogue, harkening back to the then-outmoded Singspiel format.

Scene 2 Frau Fluth has invited Falstaff to a supposed tryst, and he enters with grand romantic gestures and clumsily attempts to ensnare her.

As Frau Reich reports the return of the distrustful Herr Fluth, which had been previously arranged, the old gentleman is hidden in a laundry basket, the contents of which are quickly emptied into a ditch.

Scene 2 Spärlich and Cajus sneak around Anna's window, but before they attempt to go near, they hear Fenton's serenade and hide in the bushes.

Additionally, Herr and Frau Reich each plan to take advantage of the confusion to marry Anna off to their preferred suitor.

After the masks are removed and Falstaff is mocked by everyone, Anna and Fenton, who got married in the forest chapel, appear.

On the romantic side are the love scenes between Anna and Fenton, the ghost and elf music and, naturally, the moonrise.

The opera buffa element comes into play with the figure of Falstaff, the husbands, and both of the suitors spurned by Anna.

The opera is scored for two flutes (second doubling piccolo), two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, tenor drum, triangle, harp, strings, plus offstage harp and offstage bell in G.