The production can make or break an opera... While this is a delightful opera, I felt that the production was lacking in many ways. For one thing, Cecilia Bartoli does not look at all as Cinderella should. Mostly because she is obviously overweight, it's hard to see why the prince is SO captivated by her appearance. The prince himself did not look half as handsome (or young) as Prince Charming should, although I could forgive these small faults if those were my only objections to this recording. I realize that Raul Giminez and Cecilia Bartoli were not chosen for their looks but for their vocal talent. However, that's not the only problem. The make-up people did a HORRENDUOUS job on the prince's valet, Dandini, making him as ugly as possible. The step-sisters were worse...who's idea was it to make them wear flower pots on their heads!!! I thought that this was completely unnecessary. Even the lighting and sets were dark and ugly. Visually, the whole production was very poorly executed, although the singing was fine. This comic opera in and of itself is delightful, but I would much more highly recommend the 2006 Deutsche Gramophone DVD starring Frederica von Stade. The singing is just as beautiful, and the singers, sets, makeup and costumes are infinitely more so.
EDIT: The aforementioned opera movie was filmed in 1981; it was released on DVD in 2006.
beautiful production, magnificent performances I am a great fan of Cecilia Bartoli, and have been so, since this, her role as the title character, in Rossini's La Cenerentola. In my opinion, Bartoli is one of the most beautiful, dynamic and brilliant mezzo sopranos of our time. She has such a rich and beautiful tone, to her phrasing, as well as her general delivery of the songs in her repertoire.
This, the Houston Opera House production, is about as far away from Disney's Cinderella as you can get. So, before you consider seeing this operatic version of Cinderella, discount all of your preconceived notions. La Cenerentola (Cecilia Bartoli), is a beautiful, selfless and very mistreated young lady, who is regularly taken advantage of by her wicked stepfather and equally wicked stepsisters. The stepsisters (with father in tow) are invited to a the prince's ball, where he will select the lucky lady who will become his wife. Of course, La Cenerentola is not allowed to attend the ball, and is expected to sit at home while her wicked family has all of the fun. However, fate has other plans. There isn't a fairy godmother in the picture, so much as a Philosopher, who is watching out for the poor girl's best interest.
The cast is so strong here. Particularly notable is the great performance by Raul Gimenez (a great Chilean tenor, who plays the part of Don Ramiro, the romantic prince). You will laugh and maybe even shed a tear over this beautiful production. The music is absolutely soaring and lovely to listen to.
Magnífica 'Cenerentola' Esta función procedente de la Ópera de Houston de una de las mejores óperas de Rossini es sin duda la mejor versión visual disponible hasta la fecha de esta obra. En lo vocal, todos rinden a un nivel estupendo. Comenzando por una CECILIA BARTOLI excelente, tanto en lo escénico como en lo vocal: su pirotécnica coloratura es de impresión y su voz es bellísima. Cantar el papel mejor que ella en la actualidad es muy dificil. Junto a la joven Bartoli tenemos al veterano ENZO DARA, un Don Magnifico cuya voz no es especialmente hermosa (nunca lo ha sido) pero con muchas tablas, y con un conocimiento profundo de su personaje. Implicadísimo en la trama de principio a fin, siempre con mucha comicidad. Un clásico que se agradece. El Don Ramiro de RAUL GIMENEZ es un derroche de clase, conocimiento de estilo rossiniano y belleza vocal. Su trabajo es digno del más fuerte de los aplausos. El Dandini de ALESSANDRO CORBELLI, cómico y cantado a la altura de los mejores en este papel, sigue sumando puntos a un reparto sin fisuras, que se completa con el lujoso Alidoro de MICHELE PERTUSI y unas cómicas Clorinda y Tisbe, que hacen sus pinitos en los concertantes. La dirección de BRUNO CAMPANELLA, aunque adecuada, podría pecar de algo lenta en algun momento. La producción de la ópera de Houston es lujosa, variada, divertida y coherente con la historia; y la realización televisiva es muy adecuada. Todo esto redondea una gran 'Cenerentola', que no debería faltar en casa de ningún aficcionado a la ópera. Imprescindible.
Forget Disney While this production looks (potentially) magical, there's no magic in the plot, just the singing. Get Disney's take out of your head and everything starts making sense. This is Bartoli's signature role (note the book "Cinderella & Company") and she enjoys her feisty take on the girl. An excellent light entertainment for anyone who enjoys opera or the musical theater.
Great singing with a little twitching thrown in I love this video for the singing. As a matter of fact, I would recommend it over Bartoli's Decca cd recording because the best principal singers are the same, except in this video, you get Raul Giminez as the Prince, instead of William Matteuzzi on the cd, and although Giminez' voice is a bit lighter, it's a prettier voice, and his fioratura is much more smooth and lovely. La Cenerentola is Bartoli at her finest vocally - it suits her sound and vocal style perfectly, but the acting is another matter. Bartoli is just not funny to me, plus she does alot of odd twitching and jerking that are terribly annoying.
Corbelli is great both vocally and as an actor. Giminez is enjoyable. Pertusi is fine. Dara gives me the same feeling as Bartoli - a bit too silly, but his singing is fine. There is a serious message to this opera that doesn't come across because of the ridiculousness of some of the acting and some of the costumes: The message is that 'goodness triumphs', which is the alternate title of this opera, and I personally feel this opera needs a handful of elegance and subtley (sorely lacking in this video) to convey that message in a witty way.
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