La Cenerentola at Glyndebourne

Rossini’s take on the Cinderella story is no simplistic fairy tale. There’s no pumpkin coach and no glass slipper, and in place of a fairy godmother there’s a wise old philosopher who wants his handsome Prince to marry not just the fairest of them all but also the best and the kindest.

Yet, while reason and realism prevail, there’s no shortage of magical enchantment in Rossini’s miraculous score, which happily marries high comedy and heartfelt emotion, before climaxing with one of the most dazzling coloratura showpieces in all bel canto oper