Cinderella

  • 2012/2013 Season
  • *Clik here for mini-site of"Cinderella"
    (Only Japanese version available)
    Cinderella

  • OPERA HOUSE

Music : Sergei Prokofiev
Choreography : Sir Frederick Ashton
Production Directed and Supervised by Wendy Ellis Somes

SYNOPSIS

ACT 1 - A room in Cinderella's father's house

Cinderella's step-sisters are busy embroidering a shawl to wear at the court ball to which they have been invited. Cinderella is seated at the fireside. The sisters quarrel and leave the room. Alone, Cinderella recalls the happy days when her mother was alive. Her father, twice a widower, wants to be kind to her, but is afraid of his bad-tempered step-daughters, who scold him angrily when he tries to comfort her. A mysterious old beggar-woman appears and begs for alms. The sisters drive her away but Cinderella gives her bread. The old woman casts a gentle look at the kind girl and disappears.
Purveyors arrive - including dressmakers, a hairdresser and a jeweller - and the sisters dress for the ball. A dancingmaster and two violinists enter and the sisters practise the gavotte. Cinderella's father and step-sisters set out for the ball, and Cinderella is left sadly alone. Again the mysterious beggar-woman appears and, throwing off her disguise, reveals herself as Cinderella's Fairy Godmother. She summons the Fairies of the Four Seasons and their attendants, who bring seasonal gifts for Cinderella as a reward for her kindness.
All is ready and the Fairy Godmother warns Cinderella that she must leave the ball before the clock strikes 12, or all the magic charms will fade away and Cinderella will once more be a scullery maid. Escorted by the Seasons and the Stars, Cinderella is driven to the ball.

ACT 2 - A ball at the palace

The ball has begun; courtiers move about in a formal dance and the jester dances. Cinderella's father and step-sisters
arrive. A fanfare announces the Prince. Mysterious music is heard and Cinderella appears. She is so beautiful that everyone takes her for a princess; even her step-sisters fail to recognize her. The Prince, charmed by her beauty, offers her three oranges, the rarest fruit in his land. The dancers disperse and the Prince and Cinderella, left alone, declare their love for each other. The waltz is resumed and, caught up by the dance, Cinderella forgets the Fairy Godmother's warning. The clock strikes 12 and Cinderella rushes from the palace, losing a slipper on the way. The Prince, dismayed, picks up the lost slipper and swears to find the girl he loves.

ACT 3 - After the ball

Cinderella awakes at her own fireside. Was it all a dream? The slipper hidden in her apron convinces her that she really was in the palace and danced with the Prince. The step-sisters run in, tell Cinderella about their conquests at the ball and show her their oranges. Women arrive, saying that the Prince is looking everywhere for the girl who lost the slipper. The Prince appears and Cinderella's step-sisters try on the slipper. Cinderella kneels to help, and the second slipper falls out of her apron. The Prince recognizes in the modest Cinderella the beautiful Princess of the ball and the Fairy Godmother appears and unites the lovers, who live happily ever after.

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