There are no slippers or pumpkins. Rossini opera Cinderella will bring joy, hope and color / Day

Italian composer Joaquino Rossini opera Cinderella created at the age of 25 in just twenty-four days. It made its debut in 1817 in Rome. The new production of LNOB is the first performance of this opera in Latvia.

The director, choreography, scenography and costumes were created by the creative duo Beard & Doucet – Reno Dusse and Andre Barb. The musical director of the new production is Peter Halass. The premiere and performances in December will be conducted by Andris Veismanis. The lighting artist of the new performance is Oskars Pauliņš. The performance was made in collaboration with the Toulouse Opera, where it will be premiered in 2023.

The title role will be played by Hungarian mezzo-soprano Dorotea Langa, in the other roles – Pablo Martiness or Mikhail Chulpayev (Prince Don Ramiro), Krišjānis Norvelis or Pavlo Balakin (Don Manchiko), Kalvis Kalniņš or Rinalds Kandalincev , Laura Grecka or Altea Troisi (Tizbe) and Rihards Mačanovskis or Juris Ādamsons (Alidoro). Latvian National Ballet dancers, LNO choir men’s group and LNO orchestra participate in the performance.

In order for Ramiro to inherit the theater from his recently deceased father, he must marry. Inherited King’s Follies was once one of the most prestigious ravens in New York, but the heyday is long gone. In order for the business to develop, Ramiro’s legal advisor Alidoro recommends marrying a successful burlesque show Button Club daughter of owner dan Manifiko. Manifiko’s stepdaughter – Cinderella Angelina – takes care of her sisters and others Button Club artists, but she dreams of becoming a costume designer herself. Her creative vision helps to become a partner in Ramiro’s business, but the attractive nature captures the boy’s heart.

Duet Beard & Doucet the participants each gained experience in dance, theater, television and opera, the director and choreographer Reno Dusse and the set designer and costume designer Andre Barbs joined forces in 2000. Since then, they have co-produced more than 30 opera productions that have gained international acclaim for their creativity, sense of form and precise, fine drama.

“The call to perform at the Latvian National Opera came with the beginning of the pandemic. Everything seemed gloomy. People were unhappy because they could not attend theater performances. We felt the need to provide joy, entertainment, hope and color,” says Andre Barbs.

“Rossini did not want an opera Cinderella no magic. He created a story about people. That’s why there are no slippers or pumpkins in the production. The message of Cinderella – be beautiful, meet the prince – is outdated. We wanted to show that Cinderella doesn’t seem to be in the foreground. In fact, her salvation is what she creates and does, ”says Reno Dusse.

“From the conductor ‘s point of view Cinderella the score is very fragile and beautiful – like an ivory statue or an expensive porcelain vase. “If it is handled with great care and great love, it can be really loved,” says Peter Halas, the musical director of the new production.

Talks before the premiere for opera Cinderella will take place on November 22 at 18.30 LNOB in the New Hall.

Upcoming performances on December 1, 3 and 10. Viewers from the age of twelve are invited to the production.

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