News

October 30, 2006
For Immediate Release

Calgary Opera opens season with Rags to Riches Fairytale

Calgary, AB… Calgary Opera opens the 2006-2007 season with a brand new production of Rossini’s Cinderella (La Cenerentola). This operatic version of the famous romantic fairy tale about seeing beyond the surface and finding true love runs November 18, 22 & 24.

“Our new production is designed to bring out the fairytale magic of Cinderella,” says W.R. (Bob) McPhee, General Director & CEO. “Director Glynis Leyshon has crafted the story around a young girl named Sophie, whose dreams come alive onstage inside a giant pop-up story book. Cinderella is a fun and festive holiday treat for the whole family.”

Cinderella is a classic tale of mistaken identity, servants and masters, opportunism, and love at first sight featuring colourful characters such as the nasty stepsisters and curmudgeonly stepfather, as well as the handsome prince and the virtuous Cinderella. A valet replaces the fairy godmother, bracelets replace glass slippers, and a stepfather replaces a stepmother in this operatic version of the famous rags to riches fairytale.

Cinderella is a new production with sets created by award winning Vancouver designer Pamela Johnson and built here in Calgary. Maestro Robert Dean, who last conducted The Magic Flute (2006), conducts. Glynis Leyshon, who directed Tales of Hoffmann (2004), directs. Grammy nominated Mezzo-Soprano Margaret Lattimore returns to Calgary after a ten-year absence to play the lead role of Angelina (Cinderella). Also returning are Bass-Baritone Taras Kulish (La Bohéme, 2002) as the stepfather, Grammy-winning Baritone Brett Polegato (The Pearl Fishers, 1999) as Dandini, Soprano Cheryl Hickman as Clorinda, and Bass-Baritone Brian McIntosh as Alidoro. Mezzo-Soprano Mia-Lennox Williams makes her Calgary Opera debut as Tisbe.

Tickets range from $25 - $125. Tickets for Cinderella are available by calling Calgary Opera at 262-7286.

For further information, please contact: Brian O'Neill, Calgary Opera 802-3409, or boneill@calgaryopera.com.