“Cendrillon” is Jules Massenet’s French opera based on the ancient Cinderella fairy tale. The Metropolitan Opera presents Laurent Pelly’s 2018 production.
The Metropolitan Opera’s “Cinderella” English holiday version of Massenet’s “Cendrillon” stars Argentine American mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center from Dec 17, 2021 – Jan 3, 2022. From $30. 🇫🇷🇦🇷
Cinderella is an Ancient Tale
“Cendrillon” is the French name for Cinderella. It’s an ancient folk tale about a poor girl who finds sudden fortune.
The earliest recorded story is Greek from around 7 BC. Giambattista Basile (Italian) wrote the first European version in 1634. Charles Perrault (French) wrote “Cendrillon,” the popular version that we know today in 1697. Perrault’s version added the pumpkin, the fairy godmother, and the glass slipper to the old tale.
The Brothers Grimm wrote “Aschenputtel” in German in their “Kinder und Hausmärchen” collection of short stories (Grimm’s Fairy Tales) in 1812. From there the story passed into English.
French composer Jules Massenet wrote the opera “Cendrillon” in 1899. In 1950 Disney Studios made an animated musical version of “Cinderella.”
Jules Massenet
The French Romantic composer (1842 – 1912) is best known for his operas. His most famous operas are Manon and Werther.
Cendrillon
Jules Massenet wrote his fairy tale opera in 1899. Henrie Caïn wrote the French libretto based on Perrault’s version of the story.
The opera premiered in 1899 at the Théâtre National de l’Opéra Comique in Paris, France.
Cendrillon Setting
The opera’s setting is a French royal court of the 17th century.
Cendrillon Roles
Cendrillon
Cendrillon is the poor girl Cinderella.
Pandolfe
Pandolfe is Cinderella’s father.
Madame de la Haltière
Madame de la Haltière is the evil stepmother.
La Fée
La Fée is the fairy godmother.
Le Prince Charmant
Prince Charmant is Prince Charming of course.