Today we’re listening to…"Ah! que mes soeurs sont heureuses” a mezzo-soprano aria from Act I of the French opera Cendrillon by Jules Massenet. Cendrillon (son-Dree-yonh) is an opera in four acts based on Charles Perrault’s 1698 version of the fairy tale. Frederica von Stade (known in the opera world as “Flicka”) is singing the role of Cinderella here. Massenet’s simple, sweet, and tender melodies combined with Frederica’s vocal beauty, vulnerability, and grace are perfect together. This piece is tender but it sparkles. ✨
Von Stade's recording of CENDRILLION, showcases it with Julius Rudel's conducting as Massenet's best Opera. The City Opera did a delightful production with Maureen Forrester borrowed from Canadian opera. The recent Met production was also quite good. The orchestration is first rate and compares very well to Rossini's LA CENERENTOLLA and should be heard more often..
Von Stade's recording of CENDRILLION, showcases it with Julius Rudel's conducting as Massenet's best Opera. The City Opera did a delightful production with Maureen Forrester borrowed from Canadian opera. The recent Met production was also quite good. The orchestration is first rate and compares very well to Rossini's LA CENERENTOLLA and should be heard more often..