Toulouse Cinderella Costume: 1985 Japanisme Theatre Design

A costume from Jules Massenet’s 1899 opera Cendrillon, created for a 1985 production by the Théâtre de la Ville de Toulouse, is currently attracting attention as a significant piece of theatrical history.

The costume, designated Lot 71, is described as a “Japonisme” design, reflecting a stylistic influence of Japanese art and aesthetics. This production of Cendrillon, staged in 1985, was part of a wave of innovative choreography emerging in France at the time, spearheaded by Maguy Marin.

Massenet’s Cendrillon, based on Charles Perrault’s version of the Cinderella fairy tale, premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on May 24, 1899. The opera is noted for its humor and subtle use of musical motifs. While several versions of the Cinderella story exist – with over 38 narratives identified in France alone – Massenet’s adaptation differs from some, notably omitting the lost slipper and instead featuring a bracelet as a key plot element. The opera also introduces the character of Alidoro, a benevolent spirit who assists Cinderella, rather than a traditional fairy godmother.

A separate 2024 Toulouse production of Cendrillon, directed by Michele Spotti and staged by Barbe & Doucet, featured Adèle Charvet as Angelina, Levy Sekgapane as Don Ramiro and Vincenzo Taormina as Don Magnifico. This production drew on the Rossini opera La Cenerentola, which also presents a unique take on the classic tale, with the heroine known as “La Gatta Cenerentola” – “The Cat of the Cinders.”

The Ballet of Lights also presented a production of Cendrillon in Toulouse, offering a modern interpretation of the ballet with dancers in luminous costumes. Performances were held at La Cabane – Les Halles de la Cartoucherie, with a duration of approximately 60 minutes. The ballet is designed for audiences aged five and up, with children under 16 required to be accompanied by an adult.