ANOTHER CINDERELLA STORY

Lyric Opera of Chicago cordially invites you to a royal ball like no other.

Rossini’s timeless romantic comedy Cinderella opened at Lyric last weekend and will run through next Saturday, February 10.

Considered one of his finest works, Rossini’s brisk and playful opera (titled La Cenerentola in Italian) glows with captivating singing performed by a thrilling cast of talents in an iconic fairytale production that has been seen on the world’s most magnificent stages. This beloved, familiar tale, told with a few operatic twists, is delighting audiences with its whimsical storytelling, dazzling vocal fireworks, and theatrical grandeur.

This version of the Cinderella story tells the tale of a downtrodden daughter named Angelina who endures her father Don Magnifico’s selfish ways. Life seems dreary for poor Angelina when Prince Ramiro, disguised as his valet Dandini, crosses her path and love ignites.

Amidst a few complications and comical twists, their love story unfolds until its heartwarming conclusion, where love and forgiveness reign. Rossini’s musical score, filled with sparkling arias, showcases the exceptional vocal virtuosity of Angelina and Ramiro. Meanwhile, the humorous antics of Magnifico, Dandini, and the vain stepsisters Clorinda and Tisbe provide moments of pure comedic delight.

Conductor Yi-Chen Lin, a favorite collaborator of Lyric Music Director Enrique Mazzola, makes her Lyric debut leading the Lyric Opera Orchestra in interpreting Rossini’s lively and playful score.

Originally conceived by the legendary director and designer Jean-Pierre Ponnelle and presented at Lyric under the leadership of revival director Gregory A. Fortner in his Lyric debut, Cinderella transports audiences into the opera’s magical realm with grandly scaled sets and elaborate costumes. Ponnelle’s masterful touch adorns every element in this lushly extravagant and candy-colored production.

Cinderella’s cast is led by two fresh faces who are renowned in Europe for their portrayals of the opera’s iconic leading roles: Vasilisa Berzhanskaya in her U.S. operatic debut as the princess-in-waiting and Jack Swanson as the prince-in-disguise. They are joined by beloved veterans Alessandro Corbelli, fresh off his role in Lyric’s sidesplitting The Daughter of the Regiment and celebrating the 50th anniversary of his professional debut, and Joshua Hopkins, who returns to Lyric for his sixth role with the company.

Cinderella is performed in Italian, with easy-to-follow English titles projected above the stage. The running time is 3 hours and 10 minutes, including one intermission. Lyric Opera House is located at 20 North Wacker Drive in Chicago. For tickets or more information, call 312-827-5600 or visit lyricopera.org/cinderella.