Gioacchino Rossini - La Cenerentola - Cecilia Bartoli, Dara, Giménez, 1995DVD9 - NTCS - 16:9 - All regions - Italian - LPCM, DTS - 159 min.
Subs: English, Spanish, German, French, Chinese
Filmed 1995, released 2002
Raúl Giménez (Tenor), Alessandro Corbelli (Baritone), Enzo Dara (Bass Baritone),
Cecilia Bartoli (Mezzo Soprano), Michele Pertusi (Bass)
Conductor: Bruno Campanella, Orchestra/Ensemble: Houston Grand Opera Orchestra
La Cenerentola, ossia La bontà in trionfo (Cinderella, or Goodness Triumphant) is an operatic dramma giocoso in two acts by Gioachino Rossini. The libretto was written by Jacopo Ferretti, based on the fairy tale Cinderella. The opera was first performed in Rome's Teatro Valle on 25 January 1817.
In this variation of the traditional Cinderella story, the wicked stepmother is replaced by a stepfather, Don Magnifico. The Fairy Godmother is replaced by Alidoro, a philosopher and the Prince's tutor. Cinderella is identified not by her glass slipper but by her bracelet.
"This performance of LA CENERENTOLA was taped at Houston Grand Opera in 1995. The performances marked Cecilia Bartoli's American debut, and as Angelina she completely justified all the "hype" that surrounded her at that time. She sings beautifully and acts nicely, creating a put-upon yet spunky "Cinderella." Opposite Bartoli, Raul Gimenez gives a sincere and sensationally sung Prince Ramiro. His love duet with Bartoli in Act I ("Un soave non so che") is an oasis of calm in a witty Rossinian fairy tale. The supporting cast includes Enzo Dara (Don Magnifico), Alessandro Corbelli (Dandini), and Michele Pertusi (Alidoro, the "fairy godfather"). Corbelli's Dandini has since become famous (a British critic called it one of the finest operatic characterizations of our day), and here one can see why: it is subtle, humorous, and richly sung.", comment Amazon
