Cinderella - Family Guide

La Cenerentola

By Gioachino Rossini

Synopsis

There is young woman named Angelina–also known to her family as Cenerentola (or Cinderella)–who lives in a crumbling mansion with her stepfather, Don Magnifico, and her two stepsisters, Clorinda and Tisbe. Clorinda and Tisbe act like royalty, while Cenerentola has to do all the household chores. One day, a beggar appears at the door. He is actually Alidoro, the tutor to Prince Ramiro, and is in disguise to search for a girl for the prince to marry.

The sisters tell Cenerentola to hurry and bring their finest jewelry because they believe the prince will invite them to the elegant ball that he is hosting. The house is busy preparing for Prince Ramiro when he suddenly arrives, disguised as his own valet. Cenerentola and Prince Ramiro greet each other, but Cenerentola has to rush away to help her stepsisters. Moments later, everyone is greeted by Dandini, Prince Ramiro’s valet who is dressed as the prince. The stepsisters shower Dandini with affection and are invited to the grand ball. Cenerentola also wants to attend, but her stepfather refuses to let her go. After everyone leaves for the palace, Alidoro asks Cenerentola to accompany him to the ball. Casting aside his clothes as a beggar, Alidoro reveals that he is actually a member of Prince Ramiro’s royal court.

Later that evening, Dandini (still disguised as the Prince) arrives at the palace with Don Magnifico and the two stepsisters. Dandini informs Prince Ramiro that he does not trust Don Magnifico and his family. Prince Ramiro is confused because Alidoro had mentioned earlier that one daughter is wonderful. Clorinda and Tisbe soon rejoin Dandini, and he asks Ramiro to escort one of them into the ball. They both turn up their noses at this offer because they think he is only the valet. A mysterious veiled lady arrives at the ball and as she lifts her veil, everyone senses something familiar about her. She looks like Cenerentola, but how could that be?

Prince Ramiro is fascinated by the new guest and her resemblance to the young woman he met earlier that day. As Dandini escorts Cenerentola into the ball, Prince Ramiro hides behind a wall and overhears their conversation. Flattered by Dandini’s attention, Cenerentola tells him that she is in love with his valet. Excited to hear the news, Prince Ramiro ends his charade as the valet and professes that he is the true prince. To test his sincerity, Cenerentola gives Prince Ramiro one of her matching bracelets and turns to leave the ball.

Prince Ramiro summons his carriage to search for Cenerentola, but she has returned home

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and is preparing to do her chores. Don Magnifico and her stepsisters also return home from the ball when a thunderstorm suddenly strikes. As the storm grows stronger, Prince Ramiro and Dandini seek shelter at Don Magnifico’s house. Don Magnifico is now convinced that the real prince has arrived to marry one of his daughters. At the same moment, Cenerentola recognizes the prince, while he recognizes the matching bracelet on her wrist. Prince Ramiro declares his true love for Cenerentola and asks her to marry him.

Cenerentola and Prince Ramiro return back to the palace for their wedding and everyone cheers for their newfound happiness. Cenerentola decides to put the past behind her and invites her family to the wedding. Even though they treated Cenerentola terribly, she embraces Don Magnifico, Clorinda, and Tisbe with open arms and looks forward to her new life of happiness.

Composer

Gioachino Rossini was born on February 29, 1792, in the small Italian town of Pesaro. Both his parents were accomplished musicians and recognized the talents of their son at an early age. As a child, Rossini left Pesaro for Bologna where he lived with his grandmother. Like many children, Rossini was adventurous and sometimes got into trouble. But, by the age of twelve, he had composed six sonatas. In 1806, he entered the Conservatory of Bologna and composed his first opera. Amazingly, by the age of 39, Rossini composed 37 operas and retired from the opera world due to his declining health and changing musical tastes. During the height of Rossini’s fame, composers Ludwig von Beethoven and Giuseppe Verdi were among the admirers of his work. Gioachino Rossini died in Passy, France, on November 13, 1868.

Librettist

Character List

Cenerentola (mezzo-soprano) also known as Angelina

Don Ramiro (tenor) the Prince

Dandini (baritone) valet to Prince Ramiro

Don Magnifico (bass) father to Cenerentola, Clorinda, and Tisbe

Clorinda (soprano) older stepsister

Tisbe (mezzo-soprano) younger stepsister

Alidoro (baritone) tutor to Prince Ramiro

Jacopo Ferretti (1784-1852) was born in Rome, Italy into a middle class family. His father taught him music and literature and he eventually became fluent in Latin, Italian, Greek, French, and English. As a young adult, he entered into the business community, but wrote music for weddings and funerals in his spare time. His biggest success was the libretto for La Cenerentola. In one night, Ferretti developed the story. The next morning, Rossini approved the story, and the entire libretto for La Cenerentola was completed in only 22 days!

What is Opera?

An opera, like a play, is a story that is performed on stage with scenery, props, and costumes. However, unlike a play, the words in opera are sung instead of spoken, and an orchestra normally accompanies the singers. Opera singers do not use microphones when they perform. They train for many years to be able to project their voices over an orchestra and chorus and into a large theater. Have you ever seen a live performance? What did you see?

Opera is an art form that combines visual art (sets and costumes), drama (the story and acting), dance (sometimes even a full ballet), and music (the orchestra, chorus, and soloists). Opera stories are often based on fairytales, myths, folktales, great works of literature, biblical stories, fantasy, and even real-life events. Operas are written in many languages, with the most popular in Italian, German, and French. La Cenerentola, for example, is sung in Italian.

Many people believe that opera only involves drama but that, of course, is not true. Comedic operas like La Cenerentola are called “opera buffa” in Italian. Composer Gioachino Rossini became famous throughout the world for making people laugh with his beautiful music. Besides La Cenerentola, Rossini’s other famous opera buffa compositions include Il barbiere di Siviglia and L’italiana in Algeri.

Write Your Own Review of La Cenerentola

Now that you know the story of La Cenerentola, tell us what you think in your own review of this opera. What parts of the story are particularly funny to you? What did you enjoy the most? If there is one part of the story that you could change, what would it be? Remember, to provide the date and location of where you saw this opera library program. If you would like to share your reviews or drawings with Washington National Opera staff please mail them to our office:

Washington National Opera Education & Community Programs 6925 Willow Street NW, 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20012

Editors:

Michelle Krisel, Director, Center for Education and Training

Caryn Fraim, Associate Director, Education and Community Programs

Rebecca Kirk, Associate, Education and Community Programs

Design:

Larry Bradley, LB Design

Washington National Opera

Founded in 1956, Washington National Opera is recognized as one of the leading opera companies in the United States. Under the leadership of General Director Plácido Domingo, Washington National Opera continues to build on its rich history by maintaining consistently high artistic standards and balancing popular grand opera with new or less frequently performed works. For more information on the programs offered by Washington National Opera, please visit our website at www.dc-opera.org.

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Many cultures use myths and fairytales for romance, adventure, and to explain the differences between right and wrong. Even though all cultures are different, there are also many similarities between cultures. The story of Cinderella is known all over the world. Take a look at how the Italian opera La Cenerentola is similar and different to the French Creole, Japanese and even the Disney versions of Cinderella.

Name Origin Family Trusted Friend Special Item

La Cenerentola Italian Stepfather Alidoro (Prince Matching and two Sisters Ramiro’s Valet) Bracelets

Cendrillon French Creole Stepmother Godmother who is also a Pink Slippers and one sister servant with Cendrillon

Benizara Japan Stepmother Wise Old Woman A Beautiful and one sister Kimono

Cinderella American Stepmother Fairy Godmother Glass slipper (Disney) and two sisters

Your librarian can also help you find additional Cinderella and fairytale stories. San Souci, Robert D. Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella. Aladdin Paperbacks 1998. Sierra, Judy. The Oryx Multicultural Folktales Series: Cinderella. Oryx Press, 1992. A Little Golden Book. Walt Disney’s Cinderella. Western Publishing Company, Inc. 1986.