Cape Town Opera, in partnership with AM Productions, is bringing an enchanting operatic production of Cinderella to life at the Artscape Opera House from 4 to 8 July 2023. This brand-new adaptation of Pauline Viardot’s chamber opera ‘Cendrillon’ is directed by Fred Abrahamse and features a cast of world-class singers accompanied by a chamber orchestra.
Capetonians get to see the South African premiere of this spectacular family-friendly production with fantastical costumes and grand staging that will transport audiences of all ages to a true fairy-tale world.
An enchanting, universal story of hope and endurance for young and old
Cinderella is regarded as one of the most beloved children’s stories of all time and has long captured the imagination of countless writers, composers, choreographers and filmmakers.
This Charles Perrault fairy tale follows a sweet and kind girl who slaves away in her stepfather’s household, subservient to his demands and those of her two mean-spirited but hilarious stepsisters. Thanks to her benevolent Fairy Godmother, Cinderella attends the Prince’s royal ball where they meet and fall in love. The drama follows when her glass slipper is left behind after a hasty palace departure, but Cinderella is found again and released from her wretched life to live happily ever after with her Prince Charming.
Patrons can look forward to a magical experience with all the comedy, drama, glitter and glamour familiar to fans of opera and Disneyesque musicals, all underpinned by Viardot’s melodic score and glorious songs for the whole family.
‘Cinderella is the ideal way to introduce young children to opera, being fun, visually and musically delightful and just over an hour in duration,’ says director Fred Abrahamse.
The show features an all-star cast led by Fleur du Cap Theatre Award-winning sopranos Brittany Smith as Cinderella and Janelle Visagie as her stepsister Maguelonne. They are joined by Cape Town Opera Judith Neilson Young Artists Alida Scheepers as the Fairy Godmother, Tylor Lamani as Prince Charming, Van Wyk Venter as the Chamberlain Count Barigoule, Asisipho Petu as the stepsister Armelinde and Luvo Rasemeni as Cinderella’s stepfather, Baron de Pictordu. The fairies and creatures are played by young ballet dancers from The Waterfront Theatre School who range from eight to eleven years of age.
Feast for the eyes with sumptuous set and costume design
Cape Town Opera is known for their gorgeous and expansive set designs, and you can look forward to a sparkling set framed by a giant mirror to create a mesmerising effect while spotlighting all aspects of the performance. The creative team have upped the ante with visual elements of magic from the moment theatregoers enter the auditorium right until the curtain goes down.
Taking charge of the musical direction is longtime Cape Town Opera collaborator José Dias, lighting design by Faheem Bardien, sets and costumes by Marcel Meyer, masks and costume construction by Phyllis Midlane and choreography by Kirsten Isenberg. The original score is also receiving a brand-new orchestration by award-winning composer duo Arthur Feder and Antoni Schonken.
From ballerina fairies to the pumpkin-turned-carriage, a menagerie of adorable little helper mice, rats, horses and lizards, and a giant music box set on a revolving stage, this production promises to be a visual spectacle and a feast for the senses.
Cost: From R180pp to R400pp, book via Computicket. Children of all ages are welcome
When: Running from runs from 4 to 8 July 2023. Evening performances are on 4, 6,7 and 8 July at 7pm, with matinees on 5, 6 and 8 July at 2pm
Where: Artscape Opera House, D.F. Malan St, Foreshore, Cape Town
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 021 001 9880
Website: capetownopera.co.za
Facebook: @capetownopera
Instagram: @capetownopera