La CenerentolaGiocchino RossiniSynopsis/plotFollowing is a synopsis of La Cenerentola (Cinderella). Photos are from the scene production staged by BASOTI in San Francisco, CA during the summer of 2000. Clorinda, one of Cinderella's evil step-sisters, was sung by Elizabeth Harmetz. While in Rome opening the production of The Barber of Seville Rossini contracted with a competing theater company, Teatro Valle, to put on a then unnamed opera buffa. The final subject of the opera, Cinderella, was not agreed upon until a month before opening night. Though it was based on Perraults famous fairy tale, Cendrillon, Rossini choose to downplay the magical elements of the story and created a unique interpretation. On January 25, 1817 the two-act comic opera opened in Rome. Charles-Guillaume Étiennes wrote a libretto more faithful to the original fairy tale for Nicholas Isouard's opera Cendrillon, which was staged in Paris in 1810. Composer: Giocchino, Rossini Synopsis:Melodramma buffo in due atti ACT I As the party leaves the Beggar reveals himself as Alidora to Cenerentola
and invites her to the ball. The princes tutor, Alidora, has said that one of the Barons daughters was a splendid person so Prince Ramiro is confused when Dandini speaks poorly of the two sisters. When Clorinda and Tisbe return Dandini offers Ramiro as an escort and the girls snub such a lowly person. Cenerentola arrives in wondrous costume, veiled and much cleaned up. Her presence causes confusion as all feel she is somehow familiar.
A thunderstorm rages outside as the morose and disappointed the Magnificos return to their house and order Cenerentola to prepare a meal. The prince’s carriage has overturned outside and as Cenerentola makes the prince comfortable they both recognize each other: She sees the groom and he sees the bracelet. The bitter step-sisters rail against the underhanded Cenerentola as she leaves the house with the prince. Baron Magnifico entreats himself to the newly crowned princes but
Cenerentola asks to be finally acknowledged as his daughter. From
her kindness she asks the prince to forgive her family and the suitably
humbled father and step sisters embrace DRAMATIS PERSONAE / CHARACTERS:DON RAMIRO: Prince of Salerno (Tenor) SONGS and RECITATIVE:
ACT I
ACT II
(Images courtesy of and used with permission of BASOTI© 2000.) | |
of
the sisters demanding Cinderella fetch them more jewels the Baron
is awoken from a fanciful dream of donkeys
with wings. The prince’s visit is timely as the barons fortune
is in as much disrepair as his mansion. He coaches his daughters
to snare the prince. Cenerentola is left alone as the prince arrives
disguised as his own valet. The prince and Cenerentola are mutually
curious and Cenerentola reveals how she lost her mother and came
to serve the household. As Cenerentola leaves to attend to her sister
the baron enters and is told by the disguised Ramiro that the prince
is arriving. The prince’s valet, Dandini arrives enthusiastically
disguised as the prince to the fawning delight of Clorinda and Tisbe.
Dandini invites them to a ball and the Baron reproaches Cenerentola
and orders her to stay behind. This ill treatment doesn’t escape
the notice of Prince Ramiro and the beggar. The beggar reads from
a census and asks after the 3rd daughter of the house but Baron Magnifico
claims she has passed away. 
While the prince starts the search for the mystery woman, Baron
Magnifico demands that Dandini reveal which of his daughters he is
going to marry. Dandini reveals himself to be the valet and orders
the indignant Baron out of palace.