By Maria Gregoriou
We all know the story of Cinderella – and, even if we didn’t before, Hollywood and Disney have made sure that we do now. We needn’t go all the way back to the original Disney version, as the story has been re-told with this year’s release of the film of the same name – not to mention the movie version of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Into The Woods which also featured the damsel in distress with the missing slipper, running away from castles and putting up with evil stepmothers.
Despite all that, however, the opera La Cenerentola (Cinderella) by Gioachino Rossini is sure to give any Cinderella fan a new perspective of the story at the 17th Paphos Aphrodite Festival for three days in September.
The festival is among those very few which are highly anticipated and sought out, operating as the perfect after-holiday event to let us back into reality gently. Audiences have flocked to Paphos to watch great performances from world-renowned operas, while also taking in the magical and picturesque atmosphere of the medieval castle.
This year’s performance will be led by acclaimed artists hailing from the French lyrical organisation Ramfis Productions Avignon, joined by the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra. The artistic team behind the show, plus the story itself, pretty much ensure a formula for success.
For the third year in a row, Paolo Panizza will stand as director of the theatre, while Massimo Taddia will conduct the orchestra. And, in this year’s production, a team of Cypriot choristers will accompany the lyric choir Amintore Galli from the city of Rimini, Italy.
The two-act operatic drama was first performed in Rome’s Teatro Valle on January 25, 1817.
It was composed when Rossini was only 25 years old, following on from the success of The Barber of Seville the year before.
This version deviates from the classic fairy tale since the element of magical intervention is removed by substituting the fairy godmother with a male character who helps the heroine go to the ball because of the kindness she has shown him, the mean stepmother is replaced by a vain stepfather who dreams of rich husbands for his daughters, while the prince does not recognise Cinderella by her slipper but from her bracelet.
If this year’s Paphos festival selection has you wanting to get in your carriage and away, then you can visit the festival’s website on www.pafc.com.cy to select your seats and print out your tickets.
La Cenerentola (Cinderella)
Performance of the opera as part of the Paphos Aphrodite Festival. September 4-6. Paphos Medieval Castle. 8pm. €70-25. Greek and English subtitles. Tel: 26-822218
