Cendrillon

Composer: Jules Massenet
Librettist: Henri Cain
Company: Cedar Rapids Opera

Synopsis

Cendrillon is an opera — described as a "fairy tale" — in four acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Henri Caïn based on Perrault's 1698 version of the Cinderella fairy tale.

Madame de la Haltière and her daughters dress and leave for the ball to captivate the Prince's attention. Cinderella is sleeping and the Fairy Godmother takes the opportunity to dress her in a magnificent gown, putting a glass slipper on her foot so that she will not be recognized. Cinderella promises to return at midnight and leaves for the ball. Cinderella's entrance attracts great attention, the Prince and her fall in love at first sight, but soon midnight strikes and Cinderella must leave. In her haste, Cinderella loses her slipper; the Prince seeks the owner of the mysterious slipper. The Prince recognizes Cinderella and his love of life is renewed.