The activities in this guide address several aspects of La Cenerentola:
The historical and philosophical underpinnings of its telling of the Cinderella story
Rossini’s use of the operatic conventions of his day to define characters and present their relationships
The varieties of musical and emotional experience offered by this opera
Creative choices beyond the score and libretto made by the artists of the Metropolitan Opera for this production
Tale Yes, Fairy No: A Close Look at Changes to the Cinderella Story in La Cenerentola
Most of your students will know the story of Cinderella. What they may not know is that versions of this story have been told all over the world for hundreds and hundreds of years—each with variations, large and small. In this activity, they will closely examine the story as told by Gioachino Rossini and his librettist, Jacopo Ferretti, in the context of other versions. They will consider not only musical selections and specific aspects of plot and characterization, but how small details can influence the message of this story. They will:
Listen to a number of selections from La Cenerentola
Discuss precursors to Rossini’s opera and changes introduced by Rossini’s interpretation
Examine the historical and cultural context of the Rossini opera
Probe the reasoning and implications of Rossini and Ferretti’s changes
Become acquainted with characters, key plot points and music from La Cenerentola in advance of The Met: Live in HD transmission
Function Follows Form: A Close Look at Rossini's Use of Bel Canto Techniques in La Cenerentola
Italian opera in the early 19th Century was largely devoted to displaying the wonders of the human voice. The style became known as bel canto, or “beautiful singing.” To showcase their talents, opera singers would embellish, elaborate, and improvise far beyond the notes a composer set down. But Gioachino Rossini was famously opposed to this improvisation. He built the trills, runs, and feats of voice that characterize bel canto right into his scores, and he insisted they be sung note for note. La Cenerentola includes dozens and dozens of examples. What makes them especially notable is Rossini’s dual purpose. He designs breathtaking sounds, but they carry specific information about characters’ moods and relationships. In this activity, students will hear the ways Rossini used bel canto solos, duets, and ensemble pieces to advance and enrich his story. They will:
Listen to a set of selections from La Cenerentola
Identify differences among the eight pieces in the set
Consider how those differences add information about characters and relationships in the opera
Experience the pure aesthetic pleasure of bel canto performance
Experiment with the relationship between form and meaning in creating works of art