BY KAREN BOSSICK
Sun Valley Opera and the Big Wood 4 Cinema in Hailey will present an abridged version of “Cinderella” sung in English at 2 p.m. today—Saturday, Jan. 8.
Laurent Pelly’s storybook staging of Massenet’s “Cendrillon,” which was a hit of the 2017-18 season, features a rags-to-riches princess who is bullied by her stepsisters after her father, a country gentleman marries an imperious countess.
The nagging countess, of course, refuses to let Cinderella attend the ball to be given at the royal court. But Cinderella’s fairy godmother has other ideas, conjuring the ill-treated young woman a coach, horses, beautiful gown and glass slippers that prevent her family from recognizing her.
Prince Charming, meanwhile, has been ordered by the king to find a wife at the ball and he is immediately charmed by Cinderella. But, alas, she must scurry away at midnight before the spell evaporates, losing one slipper as she does.
Of course, the prince tries the slipper on all the women of the land, desperate to find the woman for whom it is a perfect fit. And…..well, is there anyone who doesn’t know the rest of the story?
The 1.5 hour Met HD Simulcast production features Jessica Pratt as the Fairy Godmother, Isabel Leonard as Cinderella and Emily D’Angelo as Prince Charming. Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe and bass-baritone Laurent Naouri star as Cinderella’s feuding guardians.
Proof of vaccination and masks are required, and audience members are asked to socially distance when choosing their seats.
COMING UP:
The 2022 Met HD Simulcast starts on Jan. 29 and runs through June 4.
Jan. 29—“Rigoletto
March 12—“Ariadne auf Naxos”
March 26—“Don Carlos” in a Met premiere
May 7—“Turandot”
May 21--“Lucia di Lammermoor,” a new production
June 4—“Hamlet,” in a Met premiere.
Muffins and Mimosas will be served at the Jan. 29 opener.