Photo courtesy of the Kennedy Center
By DCist contributor Caroline Baxter
What: Giaochino Rossini’s opera, “La Cenerentola” performed by Washington National Opera, presented by the Kennedy Center
Where: Nationals Park (yes, you read that right)
When: 7 p.m., Saturday May 16, 2015. Gates open at 5 p.m.
Tickets: FREE!
Ever watch Saturday morning cartoons? Do you remember the piece of music that always signaled it was morning? Birds chirping, a flute playing way up high, etc.? That’s the overture to Gioachino Antonio Rossini’s opera, “William Tell.” The opening sequence to the TV show, “The Lone Ranger” and “The President’s Song” from the cartoon show “Animaniacs?” It’s “March of the Swiss Soldiers,” from, again, “William Tell.” The bit in Tom & Jerry where they beat the snot out of each other to the tune of “Figaro?” That’s a baritone aria from “The Barber of Seville.”
Rossini’s “Barber of Seville” was by far his most famous opera. Beethoven, even though too deaf to hear it when it came out, still wrote Rossini a letter congratulating him and correctly predicted “it will be played as long as Italian opera exists.” Rossini’s “Cinderella” was his second greatest triumph, which he wrote a year after “Seville.” It remained a highly popular work throughout his life, but slowly fell out of favor because of his unique choice of vocal part to be the lead character. More often than not, the lead female role in an opera is a soprano. In the case of “Cinderella,” the part was written for a contralto—the lowest on the classification of female vocal types. Depending on the timbre of the singer’s voice, a contralto can have a richer sound than the light, bell-like nature of a soprano. Contrast the voice of the woman who plays Cinderella in this video to the voice of her blonde sister.
Sometime in the mid-20th century, “Cinderella” picked up again in popularity, and is now one of the most widely performed operas in the canon. This particular opera is of the “drama giocoso” variety, which literally means “drama with jokes.” Many of the vocal parts are written in such a way that it sounds like laughter. It’s a light, effervescent, and fun piece.
The opera’s story is a little different than the Disney fairytale you’re used to. Instead of a wicked stepmother, Cinderella has a nasty stepfather. Rather than a fairy godmother, Cinderella is assisted by the Prince’s tutor (because, sure). And instead of losing a glass slipper, Cinderella gives the Prince a bracelet. Beyond that, the bones of the story are the same timeless tale.
One of the best parts about D.C. is the overflow of high-quality free stuff to do. This event is no exception. The Washington National Opera join forces with four other companies—Houston Grand Opera Association, Welsh National Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu, and Grand Théâtre de Genève—to present a wonderfully diverse, colorful, easy to follow, and talented production. The performance will be broadcast live from the Kennedy Center to Nationals Park as part of M&M’s Opera in the Outfield series. And, rather than having to pay three figures for a seat good enough to see the singers, you get to lie in the grass and see them better than any box available for any price. The weather on Saturday is supposed to be lovely, so get outside and get your opera on!
