SYNOPSIS

Note: Although the heroine in the opera is named Angelina, the more familiar Cinderella is used here. Some of the details shown below may be changed, omitted or rearranged.

ACT I, Scene 1: The dilapidated castle of Don Magnifico, Cinderella's stepfather
After an overture, the curtain rises on the stepsisters, Clorinda and Tisbe, who are admiring their own beauty. Cinderella sits at the fireplace, brewing coffee and sings a sad little song about a king who sought a wife and finally chose a simple, modest one (Once there was a king). They are interrupted by a knock at the door. It is Alidoro, the prince's tutor, disguised as a beggar. Although the stepsisters try to send him away, Cinderella gives him bread and coffee. Courtiers announce the imminent arrival of Don Ramiro, the Prince of Salerno. He is in search of a wife and is visiting all the castles in his realm. While Alidoro, laughs at the futility of the sisters'ambitions, the excited Clorinda and Tisbe call Cinderella to help them dress (Cinderella, come here). He leaves after telling Cinderella fate has happiness in store for her.

Don Magnifico, the Baron Montefiascone, enters in his dressing gown. He is in a foul temper because the girls' noise has roused him from sleep, and he berates them in a long, comic patter aria (My feminine offspring). They have interrupted a splendid dream he was having about a flying donkey which foretold his daughters would become queens. When informed of the impending visit of the Prince, he changes his tune, the dream is about to be fulfilled!

All leave, and Prince Ramiro enters, disguised as his own valet. Ordered by his father to marry, he has been told by Alidoro that he will find his future wife in this house, and he has assumed the valet role until he has a chance to size up the situation. When Cinderella returns, singing her sad song, she and the Prince are immediately attracted to each other (A grace, a certain enchantment). When he asks her who she is, she replies that her father is not really her father, and the girls are not really her sisters. Her now dead mother was a widow when she married Don Magnifico.

Dandini, the real valet, now disguised as the Prince, enters together with the courtiers (Like a bee). Introductions are made and, thinking he is the Prince, the two sisters fawn over Dandini. He announces he is giving a ball at which he will pick his bride; a coach is ready to take them to it. Cinderella begs to be allowed to go with then but is brusquely refused by her stepfather (Sir, a word). As Dandini and Ramiro observe this scene, the Prince reacts angrily to the treatment of the girl to whom he is so attracted. When Alidoro arrives and asks Don Magnifico where he can find his third daughter, he tells him she is dead and orders Cinderella to keep silent. After the others leave, Alidoro remains behind; he knows the stepfather has been lying. Tossing off his disguise, he reveals himself as the Prince's tutor and tells Cinderella that she should get ready for the ball. He will provide her with a beautiful gown and her goodness will triumph (In the arcane depths of Heaven).

Scene 2: A room in the palace of Don Ramiro
Dandini, still playing the Prince, is entertaining Don Magnifico and his daughters and pretends to flatter them. The girls vie for his attention, and he plays one against the other until each thinks she is the chosen one. Don Magnifico, thinking he is to be made the Prince's steward, has been sampling all of the wine, and the chorus pretends to be amazed by his capacity. While the courtiers write, he dictates a proclamation against mixing water with wine (We, Don Magnifico). He does so in a monotone, while the orchestra laughs with a catchy tune.

Finale
Meanwhile, Ramiro and Dandini compare notes (Hush, hush; softly, softly). The girls are silly and vain, yet Alidoro has said the Prince would marry one of the daughters. Clorinda and Tisbe continue to chase Dandini and they act disdainfully toward Ramiro, the real Prince. The chorus announces the arrival of a new guest. It is Cinderella, richly dressed and with a veil covering her face (Oh, if while still veiled). All wonder who she can be and are amazed when she unveils. Although they are not sure of her identity, she resembles Cinderella. Dinner is announced and, while all start to eat, they have a feeling that something monumental is about to happen.

ACT II, Scene 1: Don Ramiro's palace, a little later
Don Magnifico, Tisbe and Clorinda wonder about the new arrival. They realize she is bad news for them, especially since Magnifico has squandered all of Cinderella's inheritance on clothes for his daughters. Still, if his daughters follow his instructions, he is optimistic that his fortunes will change (Whichever one of you, my daughters).

Alone, Ramiro muses on the lovely stranger and her resemblance to the girl he had met that morning (Oh, this lovely unknown). He hides as Dandini, still playing the Prince, and Cinderella enter. Dandini declares his interest in her, but she confesses that her heart has already been given to his 'servant'. An enraptured Ramiro emerges from his hiding place and declares his love to Cinderella. She begs him to go slowly to allow them get to know each other. If he loves her then, she is his forever. She gives him a bracelet, and says that he will recognize her when he finds its companion. She then leaves. When Ramiro asks Alidoro for advice, he is told to follow his heart. The Prince announces that he is once more the Prince and orders an immediate search for the unknown beauty (Yes, I swear to find her).

In an aside, Alidoro tells the audience he will arrange for the Prince's coach to break down outside Don Magnifico's house; then the Prince will be sure to find his love. Don Magnifico asks Dandini which of his daughters has won his hand and is stupefied when he learns the valet's true identity (A secret). He and his daughters have been duped by a servant!

Scene 2: Don Magnifico's house
Cinderella is before the fire, again in her old clothes and singing her sad little song about the king. Don Magnifico and his daughters return and stare at the orphan who so resembles the lovely stranger who appeared at the ball. Don Magnifico worries that others may find out that he has spent all of Cinderella's inheritance. A sudden thunderstorm erupts and a carriage is heard outside. When Cinderella asks about the ball, her stepfather angrily orders her to prepare breakfast. As the storm continues to rage, Dandini and Ramiro enter, having assumed their true identities. Don Magnifico is abashed because the 'valet' they had treated so callously is truly the Prince. The Prince recognizes the bracelet Cinderella wears as the match to the one she gave him (It is you). As they all react to the situation, Ramiro announces that he has found his bride. Cinderella tries to make peace with them, but they repulse her. Ramiro denounces them and leaves with his valet and bride-to-be. Cinderella's goodness has earned her the throne. Alidoro arrives and tells the unhappy trio of his part in the affair and why he arranged things as he did. He advises them to ask the new Princess for her forgiveness; it is either that or face starvation. Clorinda angrily refuses to apologize to their stepsister, but Tisbe thinks an apology would be preferable to starvation.

Scene 3 Finale: The throne room of the palace
As Ramiro and Cinderella enter in their wedding garments, the chorus sings of the happy occasion. Cinderella forgives her father and sisters and sings a brilliant coloratura aria, (Born in sorrow ... No longer sad), as the opera ends.

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Revised October 2005
Please credit Lyric Opera San Diego when using this material.