Rossini: La Cenerentola | Von Stade, Araiza, Montarsolo, Desderi - Abbado, Ponnelle (La Scala 1981)

Composer: Giaochino Rossini
Librettist: Jacopo Ferretti
Premiere: 25 January 1817, Rome (Teatro Valle)
Language: Italian
Subtitles: Italian, English (Click on CC for subtitles)

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 libretti written by Charles-Guillaume Étienne for the opera Cendrillon with music by Nicolas Isouard (first performed Paris, 1810) and by Francesco Fiorini for Agatina, o la virtù premiata [it] with music by Stefano Pavesi (first performed Milan, 1814). All these operas are versions of the fairy tale Cendrillon by Charles Perrault. Rossini's opera was first performed in Rome's Teatro Valle on 25 January 1817.

In this variation of the fairy tale, the wicked stepmother is replaced by a stepfather, Don Magnifico. The Fairy Godmother is replaced by Alidoro, a philosopher and tutor to the Prince. Cinderella is identified not by a glass slipper but by her bracelet. The supernatural elements that traditionally characterize the Cinderella story were removed from the libretto simply for ease of staging.

Time: Late 18th century – early 19th century
Place: Salerno (Italy)
Synopsis: https://www.opera-arias.com/rossini/la-cenerentola/synopsis/

In 1981 Jean-Pierre Ponnelle revisited his classic '73 La Scala production of La Cenerentola to create this film version - with Federica von Stade at her bel canto peak as the downtrodden Angelina. Under the guiding hand of Claudio Abbado, Rossini comes to life here in a performance of clarity and polish by the La Scala Chorus and Orchestra that lets the music shine.

Cast & Characters:
Cenerentola - Frederica Von Stade
Don Ramiro - Francisco Araiza
Dandini - Claudio Desderi
Don Magnifico - Paolo Montarsolo
Clorinda - Margherita Guglielmi
Tisbe - Laura Zannini
Alindoro - Paul Plishka

Teatro alla Scala Orchestra & Chorus
Harpsichord: Vincenzo Scalera
Conductor: Claudio Abbado
Chorus Master: Romano Gandolfi
Staged, Directed and Designed by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Director of Photography: David Watkin