La Cenerentola Streaming Sunday

Sunday, May 11, Noon, Orcas Center

— from Artha Kass —

Joyce DiDonato as Rosina in Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.”
Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera
Taken during the dress rehearsal on September 30, 2009 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

The last Met: Live In HD of the season is Rossini’s sparkling Cinderella tale, La Cenerentola, starring bel canto superstars Joyce DiDonato and Juan Diego Florez, streaming from the Met to Orcas Center Sunday, May 11th at 1:00pm.

The opera is based on the classic fairy tale of Cinderella, but there are some important differences. In the opera, the main character’s name is Angelina, and she has a wicked stepfather (Don Magnifico) instead of stepmother. Instead of a fairy godmother to help her get ready for the ball, Angelina is helped by a man with magical powers. Most importantly, she doesn’t leave a glass slipper behind – in this version, it’s a bracelet.

Unlike many operas, which star sopranos in the main roles, the leading lady role in La Cenerentola is usually played by a mezzo-soprano. It’s also a rare chance for a star mezzo to sing a traditional female heroine, as mezzo roles are often “trouser roles” (in which women play men), villainesses, or friends of the heroine.

“The Metropolitan Opera has a dazzling, plucky and endearingly poignant Cinderella in the superb American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, who triumphed.” —The New York Times

“Joyce DiDonato exuded purity and sweetness in the title role. She sang with casual brilliance and bravado.” —Financial Times

Tickets for this Met: Live in HD presentation of La Cenerentola are $18, $13 for students, $2 off for Orcas Center members, and may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or by calling 376-2281 ext. 1 or visiting the Orcas Center Box Office open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon – 4 pm. For more information about Orcas Center 2014 season events, please visit www.orcascenter.org.