Rossini’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella), or Goodness Triumphant, based on the popular French fairy tale by Perrault, was written three years after The Barber of Seville and has not enjoyed the same popularity. In recent decades, however, productions and recordings led by Abbado and Chailly, featuring Cecilia Bartoli, have led to an increasing appreciation of the work.

Cast as an opera dramma giocoso (a comedy), the work is a balanced one that continues to succeed as a modern piece, with much humour and a familiar tale to entertain contemporary audiences. As such, it is an ideal opera with which to open State Opera South Australia’s Golden Season. With a highly gifted and vocally balanced cast, this is ensemble performance at its best.

La Cenerentola: Indyana Schneider, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Helena Dix. Photo © Andrew Beveridge

From the opening scene in Don Magnifico’s dilapidated palace, where we meet him and his two daughters –the demanding Clorinda (a comedic Helena Dix) and Tisbe (Indyana Schneider) – the quality of the production is obvious and it continues throughout...