by Julie Anna Gulenko
Reprinted with permission from the
Oberlin College & Conservatory News Center
Oberlin Opera Theater aims to please seasoned patrons and first-timers alike with its spring production of Jules Massenet’s Cendrillon, which will be performed four times March 8 through 12 at Oberlin College & Conservatory’s Hall Auditorium.
Capturing all the magic and whimsy of the original tale of Cinderella, Oberlin’s production provides opera director Jonathon Field with the opportunity to engage audiences young and not-so-young.
“This is the perfect show for young people who have not seen opera before, and we have made it accessible for families of all ages,” says Field (below), who is hailed for his sometimes fantastically untraditional approaches to traditional repertoire.
Faithful to the original tale, Field’s Cendrillon will be complete with dancing fairies, a magically appearing Godmother, and a host of imaginary friends — the latter visible only to the audience and to the rags-to-riches princess at the center of the story.
The magic doesn’t end onstage: The Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, led by guest conductor Christopher Larkin, collaborates with the singers in this lush, late-Romantic musical setting. Massenet and librettist Henri Caïn accentuate the wit and humor of the story and illustrate the action with the musical influences of well-known operatic composers Wagner, Lully, and Rossini.
Oberlin Opera Theater’s production of Cendrillon opens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, and continues through the weekend with 8 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday, March 10 and 11, and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 12. Tickets are $10 — $8 for all students — and are available online or by phone (800.371.0178).
For the first time, Oberlin Opera Theater and the Hotel at Oberlin will team up for a very special Opera Brunch Package on Sunday, March 12, at 11 a.m. Enjoy Sunday brunch at the hotel restaurant, 1833, followed by a presentation featuring director Jonathon Field, cast members, and members of the opera production team. The program concludes with a behind-the-scenes tour of Hall Auditorium and the 2 p.m. matinee of Cendrillon. Admission to brunch is $25 (taxes included), and packages including overnight accommodations are available. For reservations and more information, please call 440-775-7001.
For more information about the arts at Oberlin, please visit the online arts guide.
Photo by Julie Gulenko: Tayte Mitchell and Diana Schwam star in Oberlin Opera Theater’s production of Cendrillon, the story of Cinderella.
Published on ClevelandClassical.com March 1, 2017.
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