April 19, 2018

MSM Opera Theatre Concludes its Cinderella Season with Rossini’s
La Cenerentola

Manhattan School of Music Opera Theatre presents four performances of Rossini’s La Cenerentola. The spring mainstage production, which will take place at John Jay College’s Gerald W. Lynch Theater while MSM’s Neidorff-Karpati continues its extensive renovation, will be conducted by Gary Thor Wedow and directed by Jay Lesenger.

It has been a real “Cinderella Season” for MSM Opera Theatre, as this production of Rossini’s beloved adaptation of the popular fairy tale follows MSM’s acclaimed production last fall of Nicolò Isouard’s own adaptation, the rarity, Cendrillon.

La Cenerentola will be sung in Italian by MSM graduate students accompanied by the MSM Opera Orchestra. The production will receive four performances with alternating casts on Friday, April 20, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 21, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 22, 2:30 p.m.

Behind-the-scenes of MSM Opera Theatre's La Cenerentola.

First performed in 1817, Rossini’s La Cenerentola is one of the best-known operatic adaptations of the Cinderella story with a libretto by Jacopo Ferretti based on Charles Perrault’s fairy tale “Cendrillon.” A classic story of goodness triumphing over greed and deception, La Cenerentola shows Angelina – known to her stepfather and stepsisters as Cenerentola – as she proves herself worthy of the Prince’s love with her kind heart and honesty. The score, which builds to Angelina’s brilliant rond finale, “Non più mesta,” was composed a year after Rossini’s first major success, The Barber of Seville, when the composer was just 25 years old. It is a marvel of youthful energy, comic timing, and mature artistry.

“Rossini’s spectacular comic opera, La Cenerentola, gives our students an opportunity to stretch their comedic muscles, while immersing themselves in bel canto traditions and performance practices,” said Dona D. Vaughn, Artistic Director of the MSM Opera Theatre. “We’re excited to welcome Jay Lesenger and Gary Thor Wedow back to MSM to share their years of expertise with MSM students.”

“Rossini’s spectacular comic opera, La Cenerentola, gives our students an opportunity to stretch their comedic muscles, while immersing themselves in bel canto traditions and performance practices.”

Renowned American director Jay Lesenger returns to MSM Opera after directing Die Zauberföte in 2015 and a critically-acclaimed production of John Corigliano’s The Ghosts of Versailles in 2011, among many others. Conducting the MSM Opera Orchestra is Gary Thor Wedow, whose recent opera credits include productions at Opera Philadelphia, Seattle Opera, Utah Opera, San Diego Opera, and Des Moines Metro Opera.

Manhattan School of Music Opera Theatre will present Rossini’ s La Cenerentola at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College on Friday, April 20, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 21, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 22, 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.

A scene from MSM Opera Theatre's mainstage production of Rossini's La Cenerentola.

    Email This Page

    Email Message

    Page Reference
    (will be sent in email)