Florida Grand Opera celebrates Cinderella with a Rossini Rocks festival

January 4, 10:12 PMMiami Travel ExaminerGeorge Leposky

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Karin Mushegain sings, accompanied by
pianist Ming Hay Kwong © George Leposky

The curtain rises January 24 on the opening-night performance of Florida Grand Opera’s production of Cinderella (La Cenerentola) by the Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.

In conjunction with Cinderella, FGO has organized a Rossini Rocks festival that includes these special free events:

• At a recent Sunday afternoon musicale, mezzo-soprano Karin Mushegain sang selections from Rossini’s Cinderella and The Barber of Seville; opera historian Justin Moss, FGO’s public relations director, discussed the origins of Cinderella; and A. Scott Parry, stage director, described the complexities of staging it. This event took place January 4 at Books & Books in Coral Gables.

• Film clips will illustrate how the Cinderella story has been portrayed in movies, television, music, theater, and opera in a program at 7:30 PM on January 15 at Beth David Congregation, 2625 SW Third Ave. (Coral Way).

Opera historian Justin
Moss © George Leposky

• Family Day at the Opera includes costume, prop, and makeup demonstrations from FGO’s production department; a musical petting zoo; musical performances from various versions of the Cinderella story; and a peek into the Ziff Opera House. This event will take place at 11 AM and 1 PM on January 31 at the Arsht Center. To make reservations (required), email mbenedetto@fgo.org or call 305-854-1643.

The opera itself will be performed January 24-31 at the Arsht Center, and February 5 and 7 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Ft. Lauderdale. 

A bel canto masterpiece

Rossini (1792-1868) wrote 39 operas in 19 years. A precursor of the Romantic period, he had a profound influence on both Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner. 

Cinderella is a masterpiece in the 19th-century Italian bel canto (beautiful singing) style, and is second only to The Barber of Seville among Rossini’s most popular operas. Absent in this version are the Disneyesque pumpkin, mice, Fairy Godmother, and glass slipper. Instead of the glass slipper, a bracelet serves as the recognition symbol. Otherwise, this rags-to-riches tale in which good triumphs over evil holds true to the traditional Cinderella legend.

 A. Scott Parry, stage director for
 Cinderella © George Leposky

Rossini’s Cinderella blends comedic and serious elements. The speed and energy of the music translate into intense emotional expression as well as a vigorous physicality, giving the performers ample opportunity to act as well as sing.

Florida Grand Opera will present Rossini’s Cinderella January 24-31 at the Arsht Center, and February 5 and 7 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Ft. Lauderdale.