Cinderella

Synopsis

ACT I

A room in the house of Cinderella’s father

A room in the house of Cinderella’s father Cinderella’s Step-Sisters are highly excited: they have been invited to a ball at the palace. Cinderella, however, must stay at home, where all day long she is made to sweep, clean and polish. Alone for a moment, Cinderella recalls the happy days when her mother was still alive. Her father misses those times too, but is afraid of his bad-tempered step-daughters, who scold him angrily when he tries to comfort Cinderella.

A mysterious woman appears and asks for help. The step-sisters drive her away, but Cinderella offers her some bread. The woman casts a gentle look at Cinderella and disappears.

Tradespeople arrive, and dressmakers, a hairdresser and a jeweller help the Step-Sisters to prepare for the ball. With their dancing-master, they practise the gavotte. Cinderella’s father and Step-Sisters set out for the ball, and she is left sad and alone.

The mysterious woman reappears and reveals herself as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. She summons the fairies of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter who each offers Cinderella their season’s gifts. Far away from her grey, everyday existence, Cinderella is taken to an enchanted realm of beauty and fantasy high up among the stars.

As a reward for her kindness, Cinderella shall go to the ball. The Fairy Godmother warns her that she must leave before the clock strikes midnight, or all the magic charms will fade away. Escorted by the Seasons and the Stars, Cinderella rides away to the ball.

ACT II

The palace

The court jester is waiting for the ball to begin. The guests arrive, including Cinderella’s father and Step-Sisters. A fanfare heralds the entrance of the Prince. Cinderella arrives in her magical pumpkin coach, so beautiful that everyone takes her for a princess; even her Step-Sisters fail to recognize her. The Prince is charmed by her beauty, and offers her oranges, the rarest fruit in his realm. The guests disperse and the Prince and Cinderella, left alone, declare their love for each other. The waltz resumes and, caught up in the dance, Cinderella forgets the Fairy Godmother’s warning. Suddenly she hears the clock strike twelve and rushes from the palace, losing one of her slippers on the stairs. Dismayed, the Prince picks up the slipper and vows he will find the young woman he loves.

ACT III

After the ball

Cinderella finds herself once again at the fireside, wondering if it were all a dream. The elegant slipper in her apron convinces her that she really was in the palace garden and had danced with the Prince. The Step-Sisters arrive home and boast to Cinderella about their conquests at the ball.

The Prince appears, searching for the young woman who lost the slipper. Both the Step-Sisters try to cram their feet into the delicate slipper. Cinderella kneels to help and the second slipper falls out of her pocket. The Prince immediately recognizes in the modest Cinderella the beautiful princess from the ball.

The Fairy Godmother appears. The lovers are united and walk away into the golden light of happiness.