Overview
Synopsis
Inspired by the fairy tale, Cendrillon, Cenerentola follows the story of a young woman who is forced to act as a servant to her mean stepfather and ungrateful stepsisters. Prince Ramiro is going house to house to find the most beautiful woman for his wife. Prince Ramiro disguises himself as his valet and enters to house to observe the family. Immediately charmed by Cenerentola, he does not notice the stepsisters. At the ball, while Dandini, disguised as the Prince, is surrounded by the stepsisters, Prince Ramiro is once again taken by Cenerentola, who enters the ball veiled. She gives the Prince a bracelet and instructs him to find her. The Prince immediately calls his men together to track down this beautiful mystery women. Finally, the Prince finds Cenerentola at her home, back in servant’s clothes. Cenerentola leaves with the Prince and becomes the new Princess. Even though her family has been cruel, she forgives them and finds happiness with her new husband.
Show Information
- Music
- Gioachino Rossini
- Libretto
- Jacopo Ferretti
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Cendrillon by Charles Perrault
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1817
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- late 18th century, italy
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Opera, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
After his incredible success with The Barber of Seville, Rossini composed La Cenerentola. In a collaboration with Jacopo Ferretti, the opera is based on the fairy tale Cendrillon by Charles Perrault. Rossini wrote the piece in only three weeks, but it contains some of the most famous operatic pieces in the repertoire. In many versions of the productions performed now, they make certain cuts to shorten the smaller roles, including Clorinda’s aria in the second act. The overture that we know
to read the context for La Cenerentola and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act I
Don Magnifico presides over his broken down mansion where he, his two daughters, Clorinda and Tisbe, live along with his stepdaughter Cenerentola (Cinderella). Cenerentola’s real name is Angelina, but they call her Cenerentola because she serves the family as a maid. Cenerentola is alone, sweeping the kitchen, while she sings a song to herself about a king who found his beloved wife among the common people of his kingdom.
A beggar appears at the door of their mansion, and while the
to read the plot for La Cenerentola and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
|
Songs
Atto Primo
- Introduction
- Recit e cavatina: Miei rampolli femminini (Don Magnifico)
- Recit: Sappiate che fra poco
- Scena e duetto: Un soave non so che (Cenerentola, Don Ramiro)
- Recit: Non so che dir
- Coro e cavatina: Come un’ape ne’ giorni d’aprile (Dandini)
- Recit e quintetto: Signore, una parola (Cenerentola, Don Ramiro, Dandini, Alidoro, Don Magnifico)
- Recit ed aria: Vasto teatro è il mondo (Alidoro)
- Recit: Ma bravo, bravo, bravo
- Coro ed aria: Intendete, reggitor? (Don Magnifico)
- Duetto e finale primo: Zitto, zitto: piano, piano (Don Ramiro, Dandini)
Atto Secondo
- Recit ed aria: Sia qualunque delle figlia (Don Magnifico)
- Recit, scena ed aria: Sì, ritrovaria io giuro (Don Ramiro)
- Recit e duetto: Un segreto d’importanza (Dandini, Don Magnifico)
- Recit: Mi seconda il destino
- Canzone: Una volta c’era un re (Cenerentola)
- Recit e temporale
- Recit e sestetto: Siete voi? (Clorinda, Tisbe, Cenerentola, Don Ramiro, Dandini, Don Magnifico)
- Recit ed aria: Sventurata! mi credea (Clordina)
- Recit: La pillola è un po’ dura
- Coro, scene e rondo finale: Nacqui all’affanno, al pianto (Cenerentola)
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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