Lyric Opera 2018-2019 Issue 6 Il Travatore

L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O December 1, 2018 - January 20, 2019 | 21 Cendrillon – Synopsis Pandolfe, a country gentleman, has married Mme. de la Haltière, an imperious countess. She and her daughters, Noémie and Dorothée, bully Pandolfe’s daughter from his first marriage, Lucette (known as Cendrillon). Pandolfe loves Cendrillon but is too frightened of his wife to help her. ACT ONE e home of Pandolfe and his family e household is preparing for a ball to be given at the court that evening. Pandolfe bemoans his lot, married to a nagging wife who ill-treats his daughter. Mme. de la Haltière instructs her two daughters on how to behave at the ball. She refuses to let Cendrillon go to the ball, or to let her father say goodbye to her. After her family has left, she dreams about the ball and falls asleep. Cendrillon’s fairy godmother enters and conjures up a coach, horses, a stunning gown, and glass slippers for Cendrillon. She tells Cendrillon that she can go to the ball, but must leave before midnight. e glass slippers will prevent Cendrillon’s family from recognizing her. ACT TWO e royal palace e ball is in full swing, but Prince Charming is in a melancholy mood. e king orders his son to find a wife, and several princesses dance for the prince. An unknown beauty (Cendrillon) enters the room to general surprise. e whole court (except Mme. de la Haltière and her daughters) are charmed by the stranger, and the prince immediately falls in love with her. Left alone with Cendrillon, he tells her of his feelings. Cendrillon is equally taken with the prince, but at the first stroke of midnight she hurries away, remembering the fairy godmother’s words. ACT THREE Scene 1: e home of Pandolfe and his family Cendrillon has returned home, mourning the loss of Prince Charming. She remembers her frightening journey from the royal palace, and how she lost one of her glass slippers as she left the ball. Mme. de la Haltière and her daughters enter, abusing Pandolfe. Mme. de la Haltière then describes to Cendrillon the “unknown stranger” who appeared at the king’s ball, telling her that the prince spoke contemptuously of the girl, and that the court regarded her with disdain. When Pandolfe tells his wife to be quiet, she turns on him again. Pandolfe has finally had enough, and sends Mme. de la Haltière, Noémie, and Dorothée out of the room. He suggests to Cendrillon that they leave the town and return together to his country estate. Cendrillon agrees, and Pandolfe goes to prepare for their journey. Alone, Cendrillon decides that she is too sad to continue living. She says farewell to her home, remembers her mother fondly and leaves, determined to go to the forest and die there. Scene 2: e enchanted forest Spirits are dancing in the forest. Prince Charming and Cendrillon enter, looking for each other. ey pray to the fairy godmother to ease their pain. Hearing each other’s voices, they reaffirm their love, and Cendrillon tells Prince Charming her true name, Lucette. e fairy godmother allows the pair to see each other. ey embrace, and fall into an enchanted sleep. ACT FOUR Scene 1: e home of Pandolfe and his family Pandolfe found Cendrillon in the forest, very ill, and has been caring for her at home. She is now recovering. Pandolfe tells her that she has been talking during her illness of her adventures at the ball and of Prince Charming. Cendrillon begins to believe that the whole episode was a dream. Trying to be brave, she greets the spring with her father. Mme. de la Haltière, Noémie, and Dorothée enter excitedly. e king has summoned princesses from all over the land in the hope that one of them is the unknown beauty the prince met at the ball. Mme. de la Haltière is sure that the prince must mean one of her daughters and is determined to go to the palace. A herald announces that the prince is insisting that all the women visiting the court must try on the glass slipper that the “unknown beauty” left behind at the ball; only the correct girl will be able to wear it. Cendrillon decides to go to the palace. Scene 2: e royal palace Prince Charming is desperately searching for his “unknown beauty’ among the princesses summoned to the palace. He is almost on the point of death when Cendrillon and the fairy godmother arrive. e prince immediately recognizes Cendrillon and the pair declare their love to the court. Pandolfe and the rest of Cendrillon’s family enter, and everyone rejoices and hails Cendrillon as their future queen. Reprinted by permission of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Approximate Timings ACTS ONE and TWO: 70 minutes Intermission: 25 minutes ACTS THREE and FOUR: 70 minutes Total: 2 hours, 45 minutes