It has been a very busy Easter weekend for Art Life and Stilettos. Between Opera Atelier, The Met Opera Broadcast, the Canadian Opera Company's spring productions, and buying cute bunny themed gifts for the girls in my life, I am spent. For those of you who have a couple of hours to spare why not attend a production this evening? Tonight is opening night of the Canadian Opera Company's production of La Cenerentola (Cinderella) by Rossini. His is a wonderful adaptation of the classic fable that is a perfect showpiece for coloratura mezzo. American soprano Elizabeth DeShong will be dazzling the audience as Cinderella, you may remember her as Hermia in the COC’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2009. Tenor Lawrence Brownlee is her Prince, Don Ramiro – a role he sang in a recent Metropolitan Opera HD broadcast. Ramiro’s valet, Dandini, is sung by COC favourite, baritone Brett Polegato (2009’s Madama Butterfly and 2008’s Don Giovanni). American bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen, (2001’s The Girl of the Golden West) returns to sing Ramiro’s tutor, Alidoro, who befriends Angelina. Italian bass Donato DiStefano (2007’s The Marriage of Figaro) is the evil stepfather Don Magnifico. Angelina’s wicked stepsisters, Clorinda and Tisbe, are played by two rising young stars of the COC Ensemble Studio, soprano Ileana Montalbetti, whose Elettra in last season’s Ensemble performance of Idomeneo was highly praised, and mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb, most recently seen as one of Chairman Mao’s secretaries in the COC’s critically-acclaimed Nixon in China.
Italian conductor Leonardo Vordoni makes his COC debut with this production. A former staff member of the Metropolitan Opera, Vordoni made his conducting debut in 2008 at the internationally renowned Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, Italy, followed by what critics have called a “scintillating” debut performance at the prestigious Wexford Opera Festival. He is married to Joyce Di Donato and she may or may not be attending tonight's performance...
It doesn't have to cost your Alexander Wang budget to attend the opera, in fact there are a number of ways to attend that will cost you less than a subscription to Vogue. Here is the low down on your ticket options, along with my handy (guide) to each group:
Standing Room (Stay fit and Watch Opera) Standing Room tickets for only $12 go on sale at 11 a.m. on the morning of each performance at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office. Limit of two tickets per person. Subject to availability.
Young People (Those under 5 feet tall may actually like opera) Special young people’s tickets are priced from $31 to $95, plus applicable taxes. These ticket prices apply to those who are 15 years of age or under, accompanied by and sitting next to an adult.
Opera for a New Age (How Art Life and Stilettos rolls, just say I sent you) Patrons between the ages of 16 and 29 may purchase $22 Opera for a New Age tickets as of Sat., April 9, 2011 at 10 a.m., online at coc.ca or in person at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office. Opera for a New Age is presented by TD Bank Financial Group.
Student Group Tickets (Bring your whole crew, then invite me to the after-party) Student group tickets are $22 per student and may be purchased by calling 416-306-2356. Rush Seats (Just show up) Rush seats, starting at $22 and subject to availability, go on sale at 11 a.m. on the morning of each performance at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office.
Tickets for Cinderella are available online at coc.ca, by calling 416-363-8231 or in person at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office (145 Queen St. W., Toronto). Sung in Italian with English SURTITLES™, Cinderella runs for nine performances at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on April 23, 28, May 1, 7, 10, 13, 19, 22 and 25, 2011.
Now for the photos. Here is a sneak peak at the costumes and wigs that will make an appearance this evening, courtesy of the lovely Cecily Carver and the COC.
(l–r) Tamara Wilson as Clorinda, Earle Patriarco as Dandini, and Catherine Cook as Tisbe in the Houston Grand Opera’s production of La Cenerentola, 2007. Photo: Brett Coomer
January, 2007
CLICK CLICK CLICK for more lovely Cinderella pictures
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