The activities in this guide address several aspects of La Cenerentola:
- The historical and philosophical underpinnings of this version of the Cinderella story
- Rossini’s use of the operatic conventions of his day to define characters and explore their relationships
- The variety of musical and emotional experiences offered by this opera
- Creative choices made by the artists of the Metropolitan Opera for this production
The guide is intended to cultivate students’ interest in La Cenerentola whether or not they have any prior acquaintance with opera. It includes activities for students with a wide range of musical backgrounds, seeking to encourage them to think about opera—and the performing arts in general—as a medium of entertainment and as creative expression.
Goodness Triumphant: The Philosophy Behind La Cenerentola
Most of your students will know the story of Cinderella. What they may not know is that versions of this story have been told all over the world for hundreds of years—each with variations, large and small. In this activity, they will closely examine the version fashioned by Gioachino Rossini and his librettist, Jacopo Ferretti. In particular, they will identify differences between La Cenerentola and the standard Cinderella story, placing these features in historical context to explore how changes in small details can fundamentally transform the message of a story.
- Listen to a number of selections from La Cenerentola
- Discuss changes introduced by Rossini and Ferretti
- Examine the reasoning behind and the implications of these changes
- Become acquainted with characters, key plot points, and music from La Cenerentola