La Cenerentola (Cinderella)

Composer: Rossini, Gioachino

Librettist/Text Author: Ferretti, Jacopo

Libretto Source: Perrault, Charles

Conductor: Summers, Patrick

Orchestra: Liceu Grand Theatre Orchestra

Chorus: Liceu Grand Theatre Chorus

Chorus Master: Basso, Jose Luis

Alidoro: Orfila, Simon

Angelina: DiDonato, Joyce

Clorinda: Obregon, Cristina

Dandini: Menendez, David

Don Magnifico: Simone, Bruno de

Don Ramiro: Florez, Juan Diego

Tisbe: Mentxaka, Itxaro

Set Designer: Guillen, Joan

Costume Designer: Guillen, Joan

Lighting Designer: Faura, Albert

Choreographer: Dorca, Xevi

Stage Director: Font, Joan

Television Director: Bove, Xavier

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Date of Production: 2008

Venue: Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona

Playing Time: 02:46:00

Catalogue Number: A93001741

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"Catch Joyce DiDonato and Juan Diego Flórez in what may just be definitive performances in Rossini's enchanting rags-to-riches rendition," entreated James Sohre in his review of Rossini's beloved drama giocoso La Cenerentola in Opera Today. This recording from Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu captures all the vocal sparks and dazzle generated by these two phenomenal singers.

With his airy, effortless high notes and perfect command of rapid-fire Rossinian parlando, the charismatic Flórez once again proves that he was born to sing Rossini. American mezzo Joyce DiDonato is not only a beautiful Angelina and a stunning presence, but also a prodigiously gifted artist who moves with ease and grace from the most delicate pianissimi to the most heartrending outbursts of passion. A noted bel canto singer, Ms. DiDonato won the Metropolitan Opera's Beverly Sills Award in 2007.

Coproduced by the Houston Grand Opera, the Welsh National Opera Cardiff and Geneva's Grand Théâtre in addition to the Liceu, this international undertaking boasts a truly cosmopolitan flair. Conducting the Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Patrick Summers leads "an effervescent reading" (Opera Today) that is fully supported by the rest of the top-notch cast. Director Joan Font and his set and costume designer Joan Guillén keep the audience busy with many lovingly crafted details, including dancers costumed as rats, cheerily colorful costumes and imaginative lighting effects, courtesy of Albert Faura. Light and bubbly, this is Rossini at his finest!