OPERA ON THE MAINSTAGE
music by Jules Massenet
libretto by Henri Cain
Friday | February 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday | February 9 at 2 p.m.
STEINMETZ HALL
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
445 S Magnolia Avenue | Orlando, FL 32801
Sung in French with English and Spanish supertitles. Estimated run time of two hours and forty-five minutes with one intermission.
Tickets start at $49.
Age advisory | PG
graciously supported by
DREAMS BECOME DESTINY
Opera Orlando presents a fairy tale classic, Jules Massenet’s Cendrillon (Cinderella), based on the beloved French Cinderella story by Perrault. This all-new production is full of fun, laughter, and gorgeous music, headlined by Metropolitan Opera and Grammy Award-winning soprano Lindsay Ohse in the title role.
CAST
Bring the whole family to enjoy this delightful opera directed by James Marvel, making his Company debut, with conductor Alexandra Enyart returning to Orlando to lead the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in the pit. Joining Ms. Ohse, as she returns to Orlando from her star turn as Gilda in the Opera’s 2022 production of Rigoletto, will be lyric tenor Zhengyi Bai as her Prince Charming, the soprano spitfire Alisa Jordheim as La Fée (Fairy Godmother), baritone Darren Drone as Cinderella’s compassionate father Pandolphe, and the devilish mezzo-soprano Samantha Peterson as the evil stepmother Madame de la Haltière.
This charming take on the Cinderella story will also feature the season’s Studio Artists, members of the Opera Orlando Chorus and Opera Orlando Youth Company, as well as dancers from Orlando Ballet. This production is sure to sparkle and enchant audiences of all ages.
A pre-show talk, for all ticket holders, will be held on stage 50 minutes prior to each performance.
Opera Orlando Ambassadors receptions held before each performance at Dr. Phillips Center.
Cendrillon at Steinmetz Hall and in the schools is graciously presented by Dr. Phillips Charities.
PRODUCTION TEAM
MORE OF THE MAINSTAGE
OPERAINSIGHTS
Enjoy lunch and meet the cast and creative team of Cendrillon and get behind-the-scenes insights into the rehearsal and creative process.
Thursday | January 23 at 12 p.m.
Winter Park Racquet Club
$75 per person
RSVP HERE
MASTERCLASS WITH THE MAESTRO
Conductor Alexandra Enyart will discuss Cendrillon and work one-on-one with members of the Studio Artists program in a masterclass setting.
Friday | January 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Broadway United Methodist Church
FREE and open to the public
RSVP HERE
SHOP TOUR
Get an exclusive backstage tour of Cendrillon at the Opera’s scene shop. Learn more about the design and build process for opera, and be the first to see original sets and costumes being constructed.
Tuesday | January 28 at 10:30 a.m.
Opera Orlando Scenic Shop
FREE and open to the public
RSVP HERE
SYNOPSIS
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away…
ACT I
The home of Madame de la Haltière
The servants rush to and fro as Pandolfe, the second husband of Madame de la Haltière, wonders why he forsook the calm of his country home to marry a selfish countess with her two daughters, and pities the lot of his own loving daughter Lucette (Cendrillon). Meanwhile, Madame de la Haltière and her daughters, Noémie and Dorothée, dress while their mother tells them how to attract the prince's attention at the ball. Finally ready, they all leave for the ball with Pandolfe in tow.
The house now empty, Cendrillon enters, she sings while completing her chores then falls asleep. La Fée (Fairy Godmother) and her happy helpers find Cendrillon, and dress her magnificently so she attend the ball. La Fée warms the girl that their spell will only last until midnight, and that the glass slippers will protect her from being recognized by her family. Overjoyed, Cendrillon promises to return at midnight, and sets off for the ball.
ACT II
The palace
In the great hall, everyone is excited except for Prince Charming who is despondent. The King reminds him that he must choose a wife, and a parade of eligible princesses present themselves to the prince. He is unimpressed until Cendrillon enters, enchanting everyone. The prince and Cendrillon fall in love at first sight, but when the clock strikes midnight Cendrillon runs off, leaving the prince stunned and confused.
– INTERMISSION –
ACT III
The home of Madame de la Haltière
Cendrillon returns to the house, having lost one of her glass slippers along the way. All her finery now gone, she relives the magic of the ball. She hears the family returning and hides to eavesdrop. Madame de la Haltière and her daughters are adamant the prince rejected the unknown beauty, and Cendrillon is on the verge of fainting when her father angrily sends the women from the room. Finding Cendrillon he promises her that they will return to his country home. When he has left, she recalls her mother's death, and to prevent her father any more pain, Cendrillon decides to run away.
La Fée’s Oak
Under a magic oak tree in an enchanted forest, the prince and Cendrillon are drawn together by La Fée and her fairies. They cannot see each other, but they recognize each other's voice and sing of their love. The prince offers his heart to see his beloved.
ACT IV
The home of Madame de la Haltière
Cendrillon has returned home, and Pandolfe watches over his sleeping daughter. As she awakes, her father tells her that in her delirium she spoke of the prince, the oak, and the slipper. Pandolfe tries to convince her that it was all a dream, but they are interrupted by Madame de la Haltière and her daughters with news about an assembly of all eligible princesses at the King's palace. As a royal herald summons the princesses to go and try on the glass slipper, Cendrillon realizes that her dream was true, and makes her way to the palace.
The palace
Back at the palace Prince Charming recognizes Cendrillon. They are reunited and acclaimed by all present, even a relenting Madame de la Haltière and her daughters.
