La cenerentola

Act 1

Don Magnifico, his two daughters Clorinda and Thisbe, and his stepdaughter Angelina (known as Cenerentola) live together in their run-down home. While all the two daughters can think about is clothes and entertainment, Cenerentola must attend to the household chores and is bullied by her half-sisters. Even her song about the King’s son choosing as his bride the one of three candidates who has a good heart is interrupted by Clorinda and Thisbe.

Alidoro, the Prince’s counsellor, enters disguised as a beggar and asks for alms. Only Cenerentola takes pity on him. Courtiers then announce the arrival of Prince Ramiro, who is looking for a bride. Now there is no stopping Clorinda and Thisbe. In a frenzy, they chivvy Cenerentola to and fro to help them get dressed quickly. The general hustle and bustle awakens Don Magnifico from a wonderful dream that seems to promise him future happiness: as a flying donkey, while perched on a church tower he heard a solemn bell ringing.

In the midst of the preparations, Prince Ramiro enters incognito; he has switched roles with his servant Dandini to determine the true character of the marriage candidates. He and Cenerentola immediately fall in love. However, threatening her with violence, Don Magnifico forbids her to accept the general invitation to the ball at the castle. With the help of Alidoro, Angelina never- theless manages to attend, beautifully dressed for the ball. Despite her striking resemblance to Angelina, the other guests do not recognize that the elegant lady is indeed Angelina.

Act 2

Don Magnifico, Clorinda and Thisbe gather to discuss the situation. The appear- ance of a competitor has unsettled the father. What if it comes to light that he has squandered his stepdaughters’ inheritance?

Ramiro listens as Cenerentola admits to Dandini that she loves his »valet«. When he joyfully proposes marriage to her, she makes one condition: he must first know who she really is. She gives him one of her two bracelets and tells him to look for her. He will recognize her by the other bracelet which she will wear in her everyday life. If he then still loves her, she will marry him. Ramiro immedi- ately gives the order to search for his beloved, who has rushed away. The costume game is over, Dandini is now once again a valet, and Don Magnifico complains vehemently about being wrenched from his dream of social advancement and financial recovery.

Back at home after the party, Cenerentola again dreams of the King’s son who chooses his bride following the dictates of his heart. A thunderstorm rages outside, causing Ramiro’s carriage to halt right in front of Don Magnifico’s house. Thanks to the bracelet, the prince recognizes his beloved again, who in turn realizes his true identity. The couple’s happiness is complete. And even as a princess, Cener- entola does not lose her kind-heartedness and forgives her relatives.