English National Opera opens its 2025-26 season with a new production of Rossini’s sparkling comedy La Cenerentola (Cinderella). With conductor, director, and both leads all making their ENO debuts, the feel is fresh and fun in a production set in a contemporary world but with moments of magic – plus white mice, a pumpkin, a ghost and even a glass slipper, even if Rossini’s version of the story involves matching bracelets.
double quotation markAt the time of its premiere in Rome in 1817, you were not allowed to show bare ankles on stage
Rossini’s version has matching bracelets instead of a glass slipper (but the latter does make an appearance in this production)
Conductor Yi-Chen Lin explains: “At the time of its premiere in Rome in 1817, you were not allowed to show bare ankles on stage.” So, to avoid falling foul of the censors, the glass slipper was swapped for matching bracelets. Nor is there a fairy godmother – instead there’s Alidoro, the Prince’s tutor; while Don Magnifico, Cinderella’s stepfather, is the selfish and neglectful parent who mistreats his stepdaughter. Her late mother is present in the house, as a ghost, as well as children in playful mice costumes who oversee the action and mastermind the scene changes.
