Cinderella: An Evening of Enchantment…

Madison Opera’s production of Rossini’s Cinderella (La Cenerentola) closed the mainstage season of the 2011/12 Season of Dreamers. It was a stylish production directed by Garnett Bruce, in which the classic fairy tale was transported to 1930s Hollywood. Maestro John DeMain led a sparkling musical performance that had everyone on their feet. Madison Opera has been lauded in the past for its productions, and Cinderella won over audiences and critics alike!

Mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack (Cinderella) as she dreams of a new life.

• 77 Square – “Lights, camera, action on a savvy Cinderella”
• Classically Speaking – “Lights…Camera…Rossini!”
• The Well-Tempered Ear – “Cinderella goes to Hollywood…”
• Channel3000.com – “Cinderella without the pumpkin”

Tenor Gregory Schmidt (Ramiro) as a star director at Palace Pictures.

Patrons got into the fun of the era with tableaux vivant presented by the Edgewood High School Drama Department (which recently took home a 2011/12 Tommy Award for their production of West Side Story). The talented students posed in scenes referencing some of 1930s Hollywood’s most iconic stars and characters:

Edgewood High School students as film stars Lena Horne and Katharine Hepburn, Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind, and Alfalfa and Darla of the Little Rascals.

On opening night, we hosted the annual gala to benefit Madison Opera, this season appropriately titled A Night at the Palace. Anthony and Leslie Cao provided guests with post-opera musical entertainment.