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Rossini: La Cenerentola
La Cenerentola is Gioachino Rossini's version of the popular Cinderella story, an exciting mixture of comedy, pathos, coloratura fireworks and masquerade. This Glyndebourne production by John Cox captures perfectly the fairy-tale spirit of the piece, matched by Allen Charles Klein's imaginative scenery, distorted like three-dimensional cut-outs in an old-fashioned story book.
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Plot Summary
La Cenerentola is an opera by Gioachino Rossini, based on the fairy tale Cinderella. The story follows Angelina, a kind and mistreated young woman who dreams of a better life. When Prince Ramiro seeks a bride, Angelina, aided by a mysterious advisor, overcomes her cruel stepfamily to win the Prince's heart and prove that goodness triumphs over malice.
Critical Reception
This 1983 production of Rossini's La Cenerentola, directed by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle and featuring Janet Baker, is widely regarded as a seminal interpretation. The film captures the wit and charm of the opera, with Ponnelle's direction praised for its visual inventiveness and theatricality. The cast, particularly Baker's nuanced portrayal of Cinderella, received acclaim for their vocal and dramatic performances, making it a benchmark for subsequent productions.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its witty and visually imaginative direction.
Janet Baker's performance as Cinderella is lauded for its vocal brilliance and emotional depth.
The production effectively balances Rossini's comedic and lyrical genius.
Google audience: Audience reception for this specific film version is not widely aggregated on Google Reviews, but historical critical acclaim suggests a highly positive reception among opera enthusiasts.
Fun Fact
Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, known for his innovative operatic films, often integrated cinematic techniques to enhance the theatrical experience, making his adaptations feel both grand and intimate.
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