Opera "La Cenerentola, ossia La bonta in trionfo" ("Cinderella, or Goodness Triumphant") opera in 2 acts by Gioachino Rossini. Theater "Zazerkalie" World famous Mariinsky Ballet and Opera Theatre - Opera and Concert Hall
Schedule for "La Cenerentola, ossia La bonta in trionfo" ("Cinderella, or Goodness Triumphant") opera in 2 acts by Gioachino Rossini. Theater "Zazerkalie" 2022
Conductor: Pavel Bubelnikov Composer: Gioacchino Rossini Stage Director: Alexander Petrov
Orchestra: Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra
Premiere of this production: 25 January 1817, Teatro Valle, Rome, Italy
Soloists, chorus and orchestra of St Petersburg children's musical theatre "Zazerkalie"
Arias are performed in Italian
La Cenerentola, ossia La bonta in trionfo (Cinderella, or
Goodness Triumphant) is an operatic dramma giocoso in two acts by Gioacchino Rossini. The libretto was written by Jacopo
Ferretti, based on the fairy tale Cinderella. The opera was first
performed in Rome's Teatro Valle on 25 January 1817.
Rossini composed La Cenerentola when he was 25 years old, following
the success of The Barber of Seville the year before. La
Cenerentola, which he completed in a period of three weeks, is considered to
have some of his finest writing for solo voice and ensembles. Rossini saved some
time by reusing an overture from La gazzetta and part of an aria from
The Barber of Seville and by enlisting a collaborator, Luca Agolini, who
wrote the secco recitatives and three numbers (Alidoro's "Vasto teatro e il
mondo", Clorida's "Sventurata!" and the chorus "Ah, della bella
incognita.") The facsimile edition of the autograph has a different aria for
Alidoro, "Fa silencio; odi un rumore"; this seems to have been added by
an anonymous hand for a 1818 production. For a 1820 revival in Rome Rossini
wrote a bravura replacement, "La del ciel nel l'arcanno profondo". The
light, energetic overture, borrowed from La gazetta, has been in the
standard repertoire since its premiere as La Cenerentola.
Synopsis
In this variation of the traditional Cinderella story, the wicked stepmother
is replaced by a stepfather, Don Magnifico. The Fairy Godmother is replaced by
Alidoro, a philosopher and the Prince's tutor. Cinderella is identified not by
her glass slipper but by her bracelet.
Act 1
Angelina ("Cenerentola") is forced to work as the maid in the run-down house
of her stepfather Don Magnifico. While his two daughters, Clorinda and Tisbe,
try on their gowns and jewelry, Cenerentola sings a ballad about a king who
found his wife among common folk. A beggar appears. Clorinda and Tisbe want to
send him away, but Cenerentola offers him bread and coffee. Courtiers arrive to
announce that Prince Ramiro is looking for the most beautiful girl in the land
to be his bride and will soon pay them a visit. Prince Ramiro arrives, disguised
as his own valet in order to observe the women without them knowing. He is
immediately struck with admiration for Centerentola and she for him. Cenentola
leaves when her stepsisters call her. Don Magnifico enters and Ramiro tells him
the Prince will arrive shortly. The "prince" is actually Dandini, Ramiro's valet
in disguise. The step-sisters arrive and fawn over Dandini, who invites them to
a ball at the royal country palace. Don Magnifico tells Cenerentola that she
cannot accompany them to the ball. Before leaving, Ramiro notes how badly
Cenerentola is treated. His tutor, Alidoro, who had been at the house earlier
disguised as the beggar, arrives still wearing his rags and asks for Don
Magnifico's third daughter. Magnifico denies she is still alive, but when
Alidoro is left alone with Cenerentola, he tells her that she will accompany him
to the ball. He throws off his beggar's clothes and identifies himself as a
member of Prince Ramiro's court, telling her that heaven will reward her pure
heart.
The step-sisters and Don Magnifico arrive at Prince Ramiro's palace with
Dandini, still posing as the prince. Dandini offers Magnifico a tour of the wine
cellar, hoping to get him drunk. He then disentangles himself from the family
and tells Ramiro how stupid the two sisters are. Ramiro is confused since
Alidoro had spoken well of one of Magnifico's daughters. Clorinda and Tisbe
enter, and Dandini offers Ramiro as an escort for one of them. Believing him to
be a mere valet, they reject him. Alidoro announces the arrival of an unknown
veiled lady (Cenerentola). All sense something familiar about her and feel they
are in a dream but on the verge of being awakened with a shock.
Act 2
Don Magnifico, Clorinda, and Tisbe are in a room of Ramiro's palace.
Magnifico frets over the unknown woman who threatens the chance for one of his
daughters to marry Prince Ramiro. The three leave and Ramiro enters, smitten
with the unknown woman who resembles the girl he had met that morning. He
conceals himself as Dandini arrives with Cenerentola and tries to court her. She
turns Dandini down politely, telling him that she is in love with his valet.
Ramiro steps forth, reveals himself as the prince and declares his love for her.
She then leaves giving him one of a pair of matching bracelets and saying that
if he really cares for her, he will find her. Encouraged by Alidoro, Ramiro
calls his men together to begin searching for her. Meanwhile, Dandini confesses
to Don Magnifico that he is really Prince Ramiro's valet. Magnifico becomes
highly indignant, and Dandini orders him out of the palace.
At Magnifico's house, Cenerentola, once again dressed in rags, is tending the
fire and singing her ballad. Magnifico and his daughters return from the ball in
a vile mood, and order Cenerentola to prepare their supper. A thunderstorm
rages. Dandini suddenly appears at the door to say that Prince Ramiro's carriage
has overturned outside and brings him into the house. Cenerentola fetches a
chair for the prince and realizes he is Ramiro. He recognizes her bracelet and
the couple are reunited. Don Magnifico, Clorinda and Tisbe are furious. Angered
by their meanness to Cenerentola, Ramiro threatens to punish them, but
Cenerentola asks him to be merciful. As Cenerentola leaves with her prince,
Alidoro thanks heaven for the happy outcome.
In the throne room of Ramiro's palace, Magnifico tries to curry favour with
his stepdaughter, the new princess, but she only wants to be acknowledged as his
daughter. Cenerentola asks the prince to forgive Magnifico and the two
stepsisters. Her father and stepsisters embrace her as she declares that her
days of toiling by the fire are over.
Schedule for "La Cenerentola, ossia La bonta in trionfo" ("Cinderella, or Goodness Triumphant") opera in 2 acts by Gioachino Rossini. Theater "Zazerkalie" 2022
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