Cendrillon

For the first time ever, The Royal Opera presents the story of Cinderella as told in Massenet's opera Cendrillon.

The production new to the Royal Opera House is by Laurent Pelly, whose previous work here has included the spectacularly successful La Fille du regiment, a heart-warming L'elisir d'amore and last Season's stylish new Manon. Pelly brings his characteristic lightness of touch, wit and elegance to Massenet's delightfully tuneful score against sets and costumes of fairytale charm.

Joyce DiDonato takes the title role, with Alice Coote - just like the Principal Boy familiar from British pantomime - as her Prince charming. And of course there has to be a fairy godmother, played by Eglise Gutierrez, in this version of a tale that gained particular popularity from the published fairytales of Frenchman Charles Perrault. Musical highlights include the fairy godmother's airy coloratura, the orchestral dances of the ball, the March of the Princesses, and of course rapturous duets between the Prince and Cendrillon. French music specialist Bertrand de Billy is the conductor for an opera of radiance and charm to finish the 2010/11 Season on a note of pure pleasure.

SUNG IN FRENCH WITH ENGLISH SURTITLES