This weekend Knoxville Opera presents three performances of Pauline Viardot’s Cendrillon, a unique spin on the Cinderella story. The opera offers a great opportunity for those who may have never tried the opera or who want to expose children to a small taste. Spoken words are in English, while lyrics are in French with captions. At just 80 minutes with no intermission, it also might not test the endurance of those unaccustomed to Opera.
The opera made its debut in France in 1904 when its composer was in her eighties. It’s a light take on the story of Cinderella, with lots of twists and a bit of rearranging. The music is beautiful, the costumes bright and colorful. Unlike so many operas, no one dies.
The opera, originally written for vocal with piano accompaniment, has increasingly been performed with a chamber orchestra, which is the case here. In a departure from the norm, the orchestra is not relegated to a pit, but rather in the opera boxes to each side of the auditorium. The conductor, surprisingly, conducts amid the action. For those who prefer chamber to full orchestra, this is your opera.
Written with only seven roles, each performer has an opportunity to shine. All the performances sparkle, with plenty of farce about for everyone to have some fun. Veteran Director Dean Anthony heads the production, Kelly Kuo conducts, and Eileen Downey is Repetiteur. Performers include Flora Hawk (Cendrillon), Jacquie Breechen (Fairy Godmother), Spencer Reichman (Le Baron de Pictordu), Patrick Starke (Le Prince Charmant), Elizabeth Sarian (Armelinde), Sarah Clementine Mire (Maguelonne), and Brian Jeffers (Barigoule).
The performances will be at 7:30 Friday and Saturday nights, and 2:30 Sunday afternoon. Tickets are available here.