It was between 1894 and 1895 that Massenet composed Cinderella. He is already known and acclaimed for his many productions including Manon, Werther and Sapho. The libretto, quite faithful to Perrault's tale, possesses a true literary quality, notably by imitating an old style, in a rhymed and fluid form. Massenet works in the same direction, both in the reminiscence of the past with a tendency towards neoclassicism and in modernity, by using different innovative processes. The modernity of the work for the time also came from the treatment of choreographed ballets, for which Massenet had proscribed the tutu!

Today, Ambra Senatore's choreography turns its back on traditional dance figures, and her fantasy corresponds to the spirit of the work. Massenet, who knew the voices perfectly and knew how to use them, wrote the role of the Prince for a transvestite, for a voice of mezzo and not of tenor. The fact that the Prince is played by a woman immediately puts him on a par with Cinderella. Both are teenagers, without experience. We see them dreaming in the same dream, and until this dream becomes reality.

Sets and costumes of this production, as escaped from this dream, contribute to the marvelous, and the treatment of the fairy is particularly neat. The humor characterizes this production removed, to enjoy with family.

Direction: Robert Tuohy

Vocal Coach: Elisabeth Brusselle

Stage direction, sets, costumes, lights: Ezio Toffolutti attended by Licia Lucchese

Assist. Directed by: François Bagur

Choreographer: Ambra Senatore

Cinderella: Hélène Carpentier

The Prince Charming: Héloïse Mas

The Fairy: Marie Eve Munger

Lady of the hut: Julie Pasturaud

Pandolfe: Matthieu Lécroart

Dorothée: Ambroisine Bré

Noémie: Caroline Jestaedt

 
Dancers of Nantes CCN

Orchestra and choir of the Limoges Opera