Winter Session 2017

Cenerentola7Rossini’s La Cenerentola

January 22 – February 19, 2017 

 

“La bontà in trionfo” (The triumph of goodness) prevails in Lyric Opera Studio Weimar’s sparkling new production of Gioachino Rossini’s La Cenerentola, a comedic opera in two acts.

The story of Cinderella is, of course, the most famous and reenacted fairy tale of our time, but Rossini’s rendition is a refreshing take on the age-old classic. The heartfelt rags-to-riches story was transformed for the operatic stage by the young Rossini – only 25 years old at the time of its creation – and his librettist Jacopo Ferretti. The youthful exuberance of its composer shows in every buoyant note, every little joke, and each flitting stage movement, and the opera becomes a lively and joyous kind of production that takes a new spin on the traditional Cinderella plot.

Instead of a wicked stepmother, Angelina lives in the house of her stepfather, the Baron Don Magnifico, a bumbling, drink-loving fool who has rather a cruel streak and lavishes wealth and adoration on his two natural-born daughters, Clorinda and Tisbe, with money he doesn’t have. The stepsisters are as frivolous and mean-spirited as ever, but the magic that rests in the fairy is instead placed in the wise Alidoro, mentor and advisor to Prince Ramiro, the hero. In his quest to find a wife, Prince Ramiro goes to great lengths to use disguise, throw a ball and even play at role-switching with his valet, the tricky Dandini. Hilarity and confusion ensue, although as with any great fairy tale, by the time the curtain falls, true love conquers all, and the good virtues of forgiveness and goodness prevail.

Roles

La Cenerentola                  mezzo-soprano                           Alidoro        lyric bass / bass-baritone
Prince Ramiro                   tenor                                          Clorinda      soprano
Dandini                             baritone                                      Tisbe           soprano / mezzo-soprano
Don Magnifico                   bass / bass-baritone

 Applications for La Cenerentola are now closed.