December 01. 2018 - January 20. 2019

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December 01. 2018 - January 20. 2019

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Lyric Premiere & New-to-Chicago Production Cendrillon (Cinderella)

“Blissful” and “enchanting” aptly describe this version of everyone’s favorite fairytale.

Massenet adapted Cinderella with an irresistible blend of wit, sensitivity, and elegance. The love duets are the very essence of romance, but there’s hilarity, too, thanks to the most outrageous of all stepmothers. And if you want to hear glittering top notes sail into the stratosphere, there’s the vocally high-flying fairy godmother. At the heart of Cendrillon is the delectable heroine—and when she sings to her beloved, “You are my Prince Charming,” it’s truly magical!

Language: Sung in French with projected English translations
Running Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes with 1 intermission
Location: Lyric Opera House

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This “Cendrillon” delights the eye as much as the ear.”

Chicago Tribune

No longer a forgotten stepsister, the charming 'Cendrillon' delights at Lyric.”

Chicago Sun-Times

A talented ensemble and striking design approach bring magical life to this familiar story.”

Picture This Post

Everything one would want in opera.”

Splash Magazine

An altogether enchanting production.”

WTTW

A true spectacle that is a delight from start to finish.”

Schmopera

Cendrillon (Cinderella) videos

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See what critics are saying about Cinderella (Cendrillon) at Lyric Opera

"Blissful" and "enchanting" aptly describe this version of everyone's favorite fairytale.

Lyric Opera presents Massenet's Cinderella (Cendrillon)

"Blissful" and "enchanting" aptly describe this version of everyone's favorite fairytale.

Siobhan Stagg on Massenet's Cinderella

Hear from soprano Siobhan Stagg as she talks about how she relates to her character of Cinderella and why you don't want to miss Lyric's upcoming production of Massenet's Cendrillon.

Siobhan Stagg on the Music of Cinderella

Siobhan Stagg talks about what makes Massenet's music so special and why you can't miss out on Lyric's production of Cinderella (Cendrillon)!

Alice Coote on Massenet's Cinderella

Hear from mezzo-soprano Alice Coote as she talks about how she relates to her character of Prince Charming and why you don't want to miss Lyric's upcoming production of Massenet's Cendrillon.

Cendrillon

by Jules Massenet

The music for Cendrillon is furnished by Naxos Records.

"Menuet de Cendrillon"

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"Marche des princesses"

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Cendrillon

by Jules Massenet

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2018/19 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis. The music for Cendrillon is furnished by Naxos Records.
A project of the Women's Board

Commentary by Roger Pines, Dramaturg

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Cendrillon (Cinderella) articles

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The World's Favorite Fairytale Captivates at Lyric

Chicago has fallen in love with Cendrillon! Massenet's version of the Cinderella story has captivated audiences and critics alike, with four-star reviews from both major newspapers.

Cinderella: A Whimsical Holiday Treat

Are you looking for the perfect holiday treat for family, friends, or coworkers? Lyric presents Massenet's Cinderella (Cendrillon), a fabulous French reimagining of your favorite fairytale.

Synopsis

Pandolfe, a country gentleman, has married Mme. de la Haltière, an imperious countess. She and her daughters, Noémie and Dorothée, bully Pandolfe’s daughter from his first marriage, Lucette (known as Cendrillon). Pandolfe loves Cendrillon but is too frightened of his wife to help her.

The home of Pandolfe and his family

The household is preparing for a ball to be given at the court that evening. Pandolfe bemoans his lot, married to a nagging wife who ill-treats his daughter. Mme. de la Haltière instructs her two daughters on how to behave at the ball. She refuses to let Cendrillon go to the ball, or to let her father say goodbye to her.

After her family has left, she dreams about the ball and falls asleep. Cendrillon’s fairy godmother enters and conjures up a coach, horses, a stunning gown, and glass slippers for Cendrillon. She tells Cendrillon that she can go to the ball, but must leave before midnight. The glass slippers will prevent Cendrillon’s family from recognizing her.
The royal palace

The ball is in full swing, but Prince Charming is in a melancholy mood. The king orders his son to find a wife, and several princesses dance for the prince. An unknown beauty (Cendrillon) enters the room to general surprise. The whole court (except Mme. de la Haltière and her daughters) are charmed by the stranger, and the prince immediately falls in love with her. Left alone with Cendrillon, he tells her of his feelings. Cendrillon is equally taken with the prince, but at the first stroke of midnight she hurries away, remembering the fairy godmother’s words.
Scene 1: The home of Pandolfe and his family

Cendrillon has returned home, mourning the loss of Prince Charming. She remembers her frightening journey from the royal palace, and how she lost one of her glass slippers as she left the ball. Mme. de la Haltière and her daughters enter, abusing Pandolfe. Mme. de la Haltière then describes to Cendrillon the “unknown stranger” who appeared at the king’s ball, telling her that the prince spoke contemptuously of the girl, and that the court regarded her with disdain. When Pandolfe tells his wife to be quiet, she turns on him again. Pandolfe has finally had enough, and sends Mme. de la Haltière, Noémie, and Dorothée out of the room. He suggests to Cendrillon that they leave the town and return together to his country estate. Cendrillon agrees, and Pandolfe goes to prepare for their journey. Alone, Cendrillon decides that she is too sad to continue living. She says farewell to her home, remembers her mother fondly and leaves, determined to go to the forest and die there.

Scene 2: The enchanted forest

Spirits are dancing in the forest. Prince Charming and Cendrillon
enter, looking for each other. They pray to the fairy godmother to ease
their pain. Hearing each other’s voices, they reaffirm their love, and
Cendrillon tells Prince Charming her true name, Lucette. The fairy godmother allows the pair to see each other. They embrace, and fall into an enchanted sleep.
Scene 1: The home of Pandolfe and his family

Pandolfe found Cendrillon in the forest, very ill, and has been caring for her at home. She is now recovering. Pandolfe tells her that she has been talking during her illness of her adventures at the ball and of Prince Charming. Cendrillon begins to believe that the whole episode was a dream. Trying to be brave, she greets the spring with her father. Mme. de la Haltière, Noémie, and Dorothée enter excitedly. The king has summoned princesses from all over the land in the hope that one of them is the unknown beauty the prince met at the ball. Mme. de la Haltière is sure that the prince must mean one of her daughters and is determined to go to the palace. A herald announces that the prince is insisting that all the women visiting the court must try on the glass slipper that the “unknown beauty” left behind at the ball; only the correct girl will be able to wear it. Cendrillon decides to go to the palace.

Scene 2: The royal palace

Prince Charming is desperately searching for his “unknown beauty’ among the princesses summoned to the palace. He is almost on the point of death when Cendrillon and the fairy godmother arrive. The prince immediately recognizes Cendrillon and the pair declare their love to the court. Pandolfe and the rest of Cendrillon’s family enter, and everyone rejoices and hails Cendrillon as their future queen.

Program book

Go inside this production of Cendrillon with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

View Digital Program Book

Meet the artists

Siobhan Stagg

Cinderella

Australian soprano Siobhan Stagg made her Lyric debut in Cendrillion (2018|19)

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Alice Coote

Prince Charming

The world-renowned English mezzo-soprano's Lyric credits include the title role/Ariodante (2018/19).

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Marie-Eve Munger

Fairy Godmother

French-Canadian coloratura soprano Marie-Eve Munger made her Lyric debut in Cendrillion (2018|19)

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Elizabeth Bishop

Madame de la Haltière

American mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Bishop made her Lyric debut in Cendrillon (2018|19)

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Derek Welton

Pandolfe

Australian-born bass-baritone Derek Welton made his Lyric debut in Cendrillon (2018|19)

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Emily Pogorelc

Noémie

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Soprano Emily Pogorelc, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was a Ryan Opera Center member for three years.

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Kayleigh Decker

Dorothée

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Mezzo-soprano Kayleigh Decker, spent two years as a Ryan Opera Center Ensemble member.

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Josh Lovell

Dean of the Faculty

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Canadian tenor and Ryan Opera Center alumnus Josh Lovell has performed five roles at Lyric since 2017|18.

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Alan Higgs

King

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

American bass-baritone and Ryan Opera Center alumnusr Alan Higgs has performed four roles at Lyric since 2017/18.

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Chris Kenney

Master of Ceremonies

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

A native of Hawley, Minnesota, baritone Christopher Kenney spent two years with the Ryan Opera Center.

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David Weigel

First Minister

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Three-year Ryan Opera Center bass-baritone David Weigel ia a native of Asheville, North Carolina.

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Sir Andrew Davis

Conductor

(Dec. 1-8, Jan. 17-20)

Sir Andrew Davis served as music director and principal conductor of Lyric Opera of Chicago from 2000 through the 2020/21 Season.

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Francesco Milioto

Conductor

(Jan. 11)

Francesco Milioto is on the Music Staff with the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

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Laurent Pelly

Director & Costume Designer

Director and Costume designer Laurent Pelly made his Lyric debut with Cendrillon (2018|19)

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Barbara de Limburg

Set Designer

Set Designer Barbara de Limburg made her Lyric debut with Cendrillon (2018|19)

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Duane Schuler

Lighting Designer

Former resident lighting designer Duane Schuler worked on more than 140 productions at Lyric Opera since 1977.

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Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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Laura Scozzi

Original Choreographer

Choreographer Laura Scozzi made her Lyric debut in Cendrillion (2018|19)

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Karine Girard

Revival Choreographer

Choreographer Karine Girard made her Lyric debut with Cendrillon (2018|19)

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Sarah Hatten

Wigmaster & Makeup Designer

Lyric's wigmaster and makeup designer Sarah Hatten has worked in a wide repertoire across the country.

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