Music: Gioacchino Rossini
Libretto: Jacopo Ferretti
First performed in Rome on January 25, 1817
Last performed at the Opéra de Québec on November 2, 1996
With the Opéra de Québec Chorus and the Orchestre symphonique de Québec
La Cenerentola is a dramma giocoso by Gioacchino Rossini, loosely based on the tale of Cinderella by Charles Perreault. Librettist Jacopo Ferreti replaces magic with ingenuity and humor while retaining the universal theme of the triumph of kindness over arrogance. In this joyful drama, rife with misunderstandings and disguises, a ridiculous stepfather replaces the wicked stepmother, and bracelets replace the vair slippers. To interpret the delightful characters of this sparkling work, the Opéra de Québec relies on the talent and flamboyance of great performers such as Jean-Luc Ballestra and Christophe Gay.
The opera was only performed once at the Opéra de Québec, in 1996. Opera lovers will be delighted to rediscover the highly virtuosic score, which combines effervescent ensembles and sparkling vocalizations, in a brilliantly contrasting ensemble with the tender melodies of Don Ramiro and the sweet Angelina.
For her first production at the Opéra de Québec, Véronika Makdissi-Warren brings to life her passion for clowning and unleashes her talent for youth productions with a transposition of Rossini’s La Cenerentola into the bubbling world of fashion. Here, it’s no longer a prince looking for his princess, but rather a haute couture designer in search of his new muse. It’s a proposition that will appeal to young fashionistas as well as fans of marvelous tales of all ages.
Jean-Marie Zeitouni
Véronika Makdissi-Warren
SET DESIGN: Christian Fontaine
COSTUME DESIGN: Émily Wahlman
LIGHTING DESIGN: Nyco Desmeules
Camille Sherman
Joseph Doody
Christophe Gay
Jean-Luc Ballestra
Odéi Bilodeau
Florence Bourget
Jean-Philippe Mc Clish
