‘Unexpected twists’ to classic fairy tale set for program at Modesto’s Gallo Center
“Cinderella” as a rom-com? That’s what you’ll get from the opening production of Opera Modesto’s 40th anniversary season.
“Cinderella (La Cenerentola)” will be performed Oct. 14 and Oct. 16 at the Gallo Center for the Arts.
The production is “the Cinderella story like you’ve never seen it before, brought to vivid life by the great Gioacchino Rossini,” according to a press release from Opera Modesto.
“The opera is based on the familiar Cinderella story, but with some unexpected twists,” the release said.
Cinderella still has two stepsisters, but it’s her evil and comic stepfather, Don Magnifico, who won’t allow her to go to the ball, the release said. The fairy godmother is the prince’s tutor, yet still has some magic.
But one of the biggest changes comes from a central item in the story.
“One of the amusing twists is that there are no glass slippers … because in 1817, the year the opera was premiered, censors would not allow bare feet on stage,” the release said. Instead, the opera makes do with matching bracelets.
“Opera Modesto is thrilled to open our 40th anniversary season with one of the funniest, most charming operas ever written,” Roy Stevens, Opera Modesto’s general director, said in the press release. “... Rossini pulls out all the stops, bringing to life all the unexpected comedy and sweet romance of the Cinderella story. It is an irresistible delight.”
Stevens will play the stepfather in the production.
Starring in the title role will be mezzo-soprano Devony Smith, making her debut as Cinderella and with Opera Modesto. Originally from Watsonville, Smith is based in Frankfurt, Germany.
The fairy godmother will be portrayed by Modesto’s Anakira Gabriella-Graça.
The cast also features Michael Desnoyers as Prince Ramiro and baritone Gabriel Manro as the Prince’s valet, Dandini.
“We are thrilled to bring such a fantastic cast to Modesto, including Devony Smith, who is yet another major talent coming to Modesto to debut an important role,” Stevens said. “Opera Modesto is becoming known in the business as a safe and welcoming place for international opera singers to try out new roles before taking them to other theaters around the world.”
The production will be sung in Italian with English supertitles. It will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 and 2 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Gallo Center, 1000 I St., Modesto. Tickets are $39-$79, available at www.galloarts.org.
There will be an Opera Insights Talk an hour before curtain time that’s free with any ticket.
Stevens looks forward to performing in the opera, he said in the release.
“After the challenges of the last couple of years, we all need some fun and laughter,” he said. “Cinderella delivers!”
