The story of Cinderella is just a Christmas pantomime, right? Oh no it isn’t!
HGO’s production of Rossini opera La Cenerentola at the Jacksons Lane Centre is the story of Cinderella but not quite as we know it. There are no glass slippers or supernatural elements, just a first-class production by some very talented performers.
HGO is a charity that helps advance young opera singers at the start of their careers and gives them the chance to perform with a full orchestra in front of an appreciative audience. La Cenerentola showcases young talent at its finest. Having seen this performance, I am a complete convert to HGO and shall follow them avidly from now on!
La Cenerentola is sung in Italian with surtitles that provide a friendly, colloquial translation of Jacopo Ferretti’s libretto. The story is familiar – Cenerentola lives with her wicked stepfather Don Magnifico and his two insufferable daughters. They torment her and treat her like a slave. Enter the dashing unmarried Prince Ramiro, who plans to hold a grand ball at the palace…
The set is minimal, with the stage enfolded by a shimmering tinsel curtain which is used cleverly during the show. We are welcomed to the show with arms poking through the curtain as though they are beckoning us into the ensuing story. The ‘ugly sisters’ appear from the very first scene and play a sustained part in proceedings. Solveig Neseth and Katey Rylands deliver huge energy, great comic timing and powerful vocal performances. Michael Roche plays the stepfather and has notable stage presence despite his young age.
At the heart of the opera is Cenerentola, played by the wonderful mezzo-soprano Klara Solén. Based on her dazzling, self-assured performance, I can only imagine the successful career ahead of her. The clarity of Solen’s voice and the power she demonstrates is an absolute highlight, matched only by the incredible ensemble pieces when the nine-strong cast join together.
The opera is punctuated with humour, which is played well by all the cast. There is a slight resonance to the works of Gilbert & Sullivan with comic asides, a toe-tapping score and plenty of fun. Alidoro, Don Ramiro’s tutor, played by Alex Semple, offers great comedic value as the notional ‘fairy godmother’ spending half of the show in a blue fairy-type dress. Semple is a talented baritone who acts with a glint in his eye and steals a lot of the laughs throughout. Likewise, Dandini, the Prince’s valet, aka James Quilligan, also offers another strong baritone performance and laugh-out-loud moments.
Don Ramiro, the Prince of Salerno, has a quieter role on stage. Dumisa Masoka, the tenor who plays this part, has a great voice but seems to lack some of the power and impact of his fellow cast members. In a pivotal scene, he confronts Don Magnifico and says, ‘I’ve never felt so angry in my life!’ which is hard to believe.
Rossini’s score is a joy, and the HGO orchestra conducted by Jonathan Darbourne deliver it marvellously. A young, but highly talented group of musicians, they are squeezed into the side of the stage, partially hidden by the silver curtain, and only fully revealed at the end of the show for a huge and well-deserved round of applause.
Cinderella is a well-known story, but HGO work hard to make it feel fresh, interesting and very funny. If there is a criticism, it is that the show seems a little too long. The first act is 90 minutes, and a little judicious trimming, or an earlier break, would have made this a more comfortable experience. The second act doesn’t really have anywhere to go dramatically, so just settle in and enjoy the magnificent performances from this talented ensemble.
It’s worth noting that the cast changes dependent upon the show so you may see differences depending on when you attend. On the strength of what I saw I would not have any concerns that this would affect the quality of the experience.
Overall, this is a wonderful show that I highly recommend.
Review by Fiona Gilbert
Without supernatural wand-waving, Rossini’s fabulous re-imagining of the classic fairy tale has magic and wonder in spades – the ideal opera for all the family.
Angelina sighs and sweeps her way around the house, tormented by her vile step-sisters Clorinda and Tisbe. News of Prince Don Ramiro’s search for a wife permeates through the land, but “Cinderella” is no princess as far as her cruel stepfather Don Magnifico is concerned. However, with the help of the wise philosopher Alidoro, Angelina’s chances of true happiness begin to materialise…
Angela (Cenerentola) – Klara Solén / Myrna Tennant
Clorinda – Solveig Neseth / Helen Lacey
Tisbe – Charlotte Bateman / Katey Rylands
Don Ramiro, Prince of Salerno – Dumisa Masoka / Tom Morss
Dandini, his valet – James Quilligan / Henry Wright
Don Magnifico – Chris Murphy / Michael Roche
Alidoro, Don Ramiro’s tutor – Owain Gwynfryn / Alex Semple
Courtiers – Lachlan Craig / Ted Day / Allyn Wu
Production Director – Finn Lacey
Music Director and Conductor – Jonathan Darbourne
Set and Costume Design – Finaly Jenner
Assistant Director – Edie Bailey
Lighting Design – Sofia Alexiadou
Costume Supervisor – Bea Viña
Stage Manager – Florence Carruthers
Assistant Stage Managers – Beri Valentine / Ash Howard
Repetiteurs – George Ireland / Makoto James
Language Coach – Giulia Laudano
LA CENERENTOLA
Opera by Gioachino Rossini
Jacksons Lane Theatre, Highgate N6 5AA
4 to 13 April 2025
