Rossini La Cenerentola

Discover the upcoming dates for Rossini's opera, La Cenerentola, around the world and book your tickets now!

This retelling of the Cinderella story is the perfect playground for Rossini to express his talent and madness. It is a masterpiece in which directors often go to great lengths to convey the composer's whimsical universe. The work is one of the most spectacular in terms of vocals, offering golden roles for mezzo-sopranos and tenors.

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La Cenerentola is a drama giocosa written by Gioachino Rossini at the age of 25. It was first performed in January 1817 at the Teatro Valle in Rome. The libretto, written by Jacopo Ferretti, is based on Perrault's fairy tale Cinderella. However, Ferretti strips the work of its supernatural elements and changes a few details to portray a frail Cinderella, mistreated by her family but who triumphs thanks to her great kindness. 

The role of Angelina, alias La Cenerentola, was written for a coloratura contralto voice capable of great vocal agility, but it is often sung by mezzo-sopranos. The work is not lacking in humor, thanks to its comical situations, rapid dialogue, and character interactions.

THE STORY

The plot of La Cenerentola closely follows the story of Cinderella, the fairy tale by Perrault. Mocked by her stepsisters, the young and pretty Angelina believes she is in love with a young valet and goes to the ball. Dressed in her finest attire, she meets the Prince and flees after giving him not a glass slipper but a bracelet that will allow him to recognize her later. The masks come off, and kindness and love triumph!

MAIN CHARACTERS

• Angelina, or Cenerentola, Don Magnifico's adopted daughter, contralto
• Don Ramiro, Prince, tenor
• Don Magnifico, Baron, bass
• Dandini, Don Ramiro's valet, baritone
• Tisbe, Angelina's half-sister, mezzo-soprano
• Clorinda, Angelina's half-sister, soprano