Meet the Composers

The Cinderella you will be watching is actually a combination of two operas: La Cenerentola by Rossini, and Cendrillon by Massenet. They were brought together so Listen carefully to the that viewers could benefit from the best of both operas – opera – Can you tell the most exciting parts of each story, and the most beautiful which songs are by music from both composers! This version also provides Massenet, and which a great opportunity to compare and contrast the two ones are by Rossini? works, and to observe how differently the two composers approached the same story.

GIOACCHINO ROSSINI (1792 – 1868) JULES MASSENET (1842 – 1912)

Rossini was the composer of La Cenerentola. He began Massenet, composer of Cendrillon, was one of the most playing in a band at age six, and composed his first opera successful of all French opera composers. Cendrillon at the age of 18. Rossini produced 20 operas between premiered in Paris in 1899, and was performed over 1815 and 1823. He composed La Cenerentola in just 50 times by the end of that year. The libretto, written by over three weeks during January, 1817 in Rome. A very Henri Cain, was also based on Perrault’s version of the successful production, it was performed extensively Cinderella fairy tale. Massenet was very strict and regular in throughout Europe. The libretto (the words and story of his work habits, and composed very quickly. He preferred the opera set to the composer’s music) was written by to work in the same setting as his operas, and for his work Giacomo Ferretti, and was based on the French version on Cendrillon, stayed in a 17th-century house on the Seine of the fairytale by Charles Perrault written in 1697. Instead in Normandy that belonged to a French princess called, the of a glass slipper, though, Ferretti gave Cinderella a set of Duchesse de Longueville. He even bought a large antique matching bracelets, one of which she gives to the Prince table on which to spread his manuscript as he worked. so that he can find her. Why did he make this change? Most likely, Ferretti did not want to upset Roman censors, Massenet’s Musical Checklist who would have been shocked by the sight of women’s Simple, sweet melodies (often tender and melancholic) bare feet on the stage as the sisters tried on the slipper. Emotional and sentimental operas Rossini’s Musical Checklist Delicate music, creating a shimmering, sparkling effect Tuneful, brilliant and catchy melodies Rhythmically vital, sprightly orchestrations Repetition of melodies and structure

By Miriam Greenblatt, former OISE intern with the COC’s Education and Outreach department

The 2009/10 Cinderella Study Guide is The Xstrata Ensemble produced by the COC’s Education and EXPLORE & LEARN Studio School Tour is Outreach Department. coc.ca 416-306-2392 booked through