How to Order | Order a Multi Pack | Subscribe | Shop Merchandise
In the hall of Don Magnifico’s castle, Angelina, called La Cenerentola, works while her two stepsisters, Clorinda and Tisbe, admire themselves. Alidoro, the tutor of the Prince Don Ramiro, arrives at the door disguised as a beggar. The stepsisters spurn him and only Angelina offers him food and drink.
Shortly thereafter, Don Ramiro arrives disguised as his own squire. He is impressed with Angelina’s beauty and tells the family that the Prince will arrive shortly to personally make an important announcement. Don Ramiro’s squire Dandini enters, disguised as Don Ramiro himself. Deceived by this reversal of roles, Don Magnifico presents the stepsisters to Dandini, who tells them he will be hosting a ball in order to select a worthy bride. He invites all the eligible young women in the house to his palace.
Privately, Don Magnifico tells Angelina that he will not allow her to attend the ball. Later, when Don Magnifico and the stepsisters have left for the ball, Alidoro returns, still dressed as a beggar. He removes his disguise, provides the astonished Angelina with a gown and a carriage, and takes her to the palace.
At the royal palace, Don Ramiro and Dandini, still disguised as each other, entertain Don Magnifico. Don Magnifico feels certain that the Don Ramiro will select one of his daughters as his bride, and Clorinda and Tisbe compete for his attention. Angelina arrives, beautifully dressed and wearing a veil so that nobody will recognize her.
Don Ramiro is taken with this mysterious lady, and contemplates her similarity to the serving-girl he met earlier that day. He approaches Angelina and she gives him a bracelet, promising that when he finds the girl wearing the matching bracelet, she will marry him if he chooses. She then leaves.
At Don Ramiro’s instructions, Dandini explains to Don Magnifico that he is not in fact the Prince, but the Prince’s squire. He throws the protesting Don Magnifico out of the palace.
Later, back at the castle of Don Magnifico, Angelina is tending to the fireplace when her stepsisters and Don Magnifico dejectedly return from the ball.
Soon, Don Ramiro and Dandini enter, seeking shelter from the rain because their carriage has overturned outside. Angelina is surprised to learn that Don Ramiro, whom she believed to be a squire, is in fact the Prince.
Don Ramiro recognizes the bracelet that Angelina is wearing and chooses her for his bride, denouncing Don Magnifico and the stepsisters for their ill-treatment of her. Angelina pleads for reconciliation, and all ends happily.
Lawrence Brownlee as Don Ramiro and Elizabeth DeShong as Angelina in the Canadian Opera Company production of Cinderella (La Cenerentola). Photo Credit: © 2011 Michael Cooper