The Cinderella

The mythical love between Cinderella and the Prince, the birth and blossoming of human feelings, the obstacles and the realisation of their dream. In the music of Prokof’ev one can perceive all the characters of the sweet dreamer Cinderella, her shy father, the cavalier stepmother, the capricious stepsisters, the fervent young Prince, in a way that the spectator is not indifferent to their joys and sorrows. The dance is joyful, lively, sparkling, poetic, and the Romanian Opera Ballet presents us with an increasingly sweet and dreamy Cinderella: the slipper disappears, and in its place the Prince goes in search of a maiden with a pure foot – which, on closer inspection, is also the dancer's strong point, from which he draws strength, balance and elevation. The maiden, guided by the memory of her mother, sets out on her own path in search of her identity and love.

Cinderella is not just a fairy tale character – prokof’ev – above all, she is a creature that palpitates, inducing emotion, tenderness.

PLOT

I Act
The scene takes place in the house of Cinderella's father. Arabella and Araminta, Cinderella's two stepsisters, embroider a shawl to wear to the grand ball that the prince has organised at the palace. Cinderella è engrossed in household chores, as usual, reserved for her, when the two stepsisters, quarrelling, leave her alone for a moment. The poor girl, thinking back to her childhood, remembers how different everything was when her mother was alive. She knows that her father adores her and also that she is incapable of imposing herself on the other two daughters, who hate her instead.
A beggar girl comes in to ask for an offering: the two stepsisters taunt her but Cinderella offers her some bread and accompanies her to the door, while the old woman thanks her. A whole team of hairdressers, embroiderers and jewellers arrive to adorn the two sisters for the grand evening. The stepmother (in some versions played by the father) escorts them to the ball, leaving Cinderella with her broom to clean the house. The beggar girl then returns and, having taken off her disguise, reveals herself as a fairy. She summons the fairies of the four seasons with their knights and reciprocates Cinderella's alms with an enchanting evening dress. The only limit to the magic will be the stroke of midnight: Cinderella will have to return home before that time, because the spell will dissolve and she will return as a beautiful princess to her humble shoes. Magically Cinderella is led to the ball.

Act II
At the palace the party begins when Cinderella's stepsisters arrive. Shortly afterwards the Prince makes his entrance. Last, greeted by mysterious music, Cinderella sets foot in the hall. She is immediately mistaken for a princess so beautiful and radiant; not even her stepmother and the two recognise her. The prince offers her three oranges, the finest and rarest fruit in his land, and Cinderella generously shares them with her stepsisters. As the ballroom empties of participants the Prince and Cinderella declare their love for each other. One waltz turn after another and Cinderella forgets the limit of the spell that surrounds her. The chimes of midnight bring her back to her senses and then, suddenly, she runs away. The astonished prince picks up the slipper that Cinderella has lost in her flight and vows to find the beautiful princess who has lost it.

Act III
Cinderella wakes up at home and at first glance is unsure whether or not she dreamt the grand ball. But the answer to her doubt is not long in coming: there is a crystal slipper in her apron. Arabella and Araminta join her and make merry in telling of their experience at the palace the night before. A group of young people arrive to announce that the prince is looking for the princess to whom the slipper in his possession belongs. The two wicked girls, despite everyone's efforts, including Cinderella, are unable to dress the slipper. Suddenly, the other shoe falls off Cinderella's apron. The prince immediately recognises his princess in Cinderella. The fairy reappears to bless the union of the two lovers.

Program and cast

Music by Sergej Sergeevič Prokof’ev
Choreography Cristina Todi

Ballet Corps Romanian National Opera House Ballet