Kennet Opera perform Rossini’s La Cenerentola

Production of the Cinderella story at Arlington Arts

KENNET Opera return to Arlington Arts, Snelsmore, to perform Rossini’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella) on November 9, 11 and 12.

So you thought you knew the Cinderella story? Rossini’s comic take on the story pulsates with exhilarating music from start to finish.

The plot centres around Angelina (Cenerentola) who is forced to work as the maid in the run-down house of her stepfather Don Magnifico.

While his two mean, idle daughters, Clorinda and Tisbe, try on their gowns and jewellery, Cenerentola sings a ballad about a king who found his wife among common folk.

A beggar comes calling. Clorinda and Tisbe want to send him away, but Cenerentola offers him bread and coffee.

Courtiers arrive to announce that Prince Ramiro is looking for the most beautiful girl in the land to be his bride, and is on his way to pay them a visit.

It will be sung, as usual by this company, in English.

Principal roles will be sung by three leading young professionals. The cast list is: Angelina: Katherine Cooper, Ramiro: Robin Whitehouse, Dandini: Shaun Aquilina, Clorinda: Julie van Haperen, Tisbe: Tamsin Slatter (understudy Lucy Fitt), Don Magnifico: Don Crerar (understudy Ant Goffart) Alidoro: James Mitchell (understudy Duncan Powell).

Stan Pretty, a professional actor (RSC, Royal Court), who has directed three two-man plays on Shakespeare and a large-scale community play, is stage director for La Cenerentola, a keen opera lover and glad of the chance to present this delightful and comic piece.

Musical director is Max Fane (with deputy Matthew Winkworth); set designer/assistant stage director is again Suzanne Thomson and producers are Cathy Black and Felicity Merchant.

Visit www.kennetopera.co.uk