Cinderella (Cendrillon)

2 January – 28 March 2025

In the Joan Sutherland Theatre

Opera Australia

Opera

A prince, a ball, a woman in flight. Will they find true love on this enchanted night?

Useful information:

Once upon a time …

Once upon a time, there was a dejected daughter, a spiteful stepmother, a pouty prince, and some selfish sisters.

You know the fairy tale, now feel the magic of Laurent Pelly’s whimsical production of Cinderella. After packed-out runs at the Metropolitan Opera of New York and Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, this acclaimed staging of Cinderella makes a grand Australian debut.

Massenet’s classic opera has long delighted audiences with its sumptuous music and big heart. This production adds a delightful dash of humour with playful choreography and extravagant costumes in outrageous shapes and sizes. Barbara de Limburg’s extraordinary set is a pop-up storybook world inspired by an original illustrated edition of the fairy tale, complete with fold-out balcony and paper-cut carriage.

Performed in English, this crowd-pleasing production is perfect for newcomers, but opera-lovers are in for a royal treat. Massenet’s score offers plenty of opportunities for the cast to show off. Rising star Emily Edmonds, audience favourite Emma Matthews and internationally renowned Australian mezzo soprano Margaret Plummer will relish the comedy and poignancy of the score. We can’t promise you happily ever after, but you can expect 90 minutes of joy and wonder. Dust off your glass slippers and step into a land of enchantment and nostalgia. Maybe dreams really do come true.

Presented by Opera Australia in association with Sydney Festival

Cinderella is produced in association with The Royal Opera, Covent Garden, London, Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, L’Opéra de Lille and Gran Teatre del Liceu. The original production was by the Santa Fe Opera. This production was first seen at the Royal Opera House, London on 5 July 2011.

Abridged English version commissioned by The Metropolitan Opera and premiered at The Metropolitan Opera on December 17, 2021. Performed by arrangement with The Metropolitan Opera, publisher and sole copyright holder.

Artist information

Director & Costume Designer Laurent Pelly
Set Designer Barbara de Limburg
Costume Associate Jean-Jacques Delmotte
Lighting Designer Duane Schuler 
Choreographer Laura Scozzi
Rehearsal Director and Choreographer Karine Girard
English Translation Kelley Rourke

Cast

Cinderella Emily Edmonds
Prince Charming Margaret Plummer (2 Jan–8 Feb), Sian Sharp (19–28 Mar)
Fairy Godmother Emma Matthews
Pandolfe Richard Anderson
Madame De La Haltière Angela Hogan (2 Jan–8 Feb), Dominica Matthews (19–28 Mar)
Noémie Jennifer Black (2 Jan–8 Feb), Jane Ede (19–28 Mar)
Dorothée Ashlyn Tymms
The King Shane Lowrencev
Le Surintendant des plaisirs (Master of Ceremonies) Alexander Hargreaves
Dean Of Faculty Iain Henderson (2 Jan–8 Feb), Virgilio Marino (19–28 Mar)
Le Premier Ministre (First Minister) Nathan Lay
Spirits Celeste Lazarenko, Kathryn Williams, Jennifer Bonner, Leah Thomas, Keara Donohoe, Celeste Haworth

Opera Australia Orchestra
Opera Australia Chorus

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