Rossini wrote a stirring opera in only 24 days. Each of the numbers in this opera is a great piece, especially the ensemble scenes are of the greatest mastery.
Cenerentola gives Ramiro a bracelet – the virtuoso aria “si ritrovarlo giuro”
This aria is spectacular: it is peppered with difficult runs and high C’s.
See and hear Juan Diego Florez in a legendary encore at the Met (which is extremely rarely allowed).
Si ritrovarla io giuro – Florez
Ramiro emerges – a great concertato
Rossini surely had a smirk on his lips when he composed this sextet. He plays with the consonants grr, trr, rr to reinforce the sense of wonder that follows the unveiling of the Cinderellas. This concertato, a standstill, is one of the famous passages in this opera.
Claudio Abbado staged a landmark recording of Cenerentola in 1971 with director Jean-Pierre Ponnelle and music historian Zedda. The singers led by Teresa Berganza sparked a renaissance of this opera.
Questo e un nodo avviluppato (Sestetto) – Abbado/Alva/Berganza
Happy end with the great aria “non piu mesta”
In this final piece, we are met by a transformed Cenerentola. She has not only changed visually, but also blossoms musically. Rossini saved the big fireworks for the finale. What Rossini presents us with in terms of ornamentation and chains of notes and leaps in this aria is breathtaking. This piece is one of the most demanding that has been written for a coloratura soprano.
Cecilia Bartoli’s Cenerentola sparkles with singing joy. She sings her way through this aria seemingly effortlessly. For many, Cecilia is considered the best Cenerentola on CD.
Nacqui all affano … non piu mesta – Bartoli
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