Cinderella’s queen of the ball in Opera Australia’s season opener

There’s charm aplenty and the return of a crowd favourite in Opera Australia’s production of Cinderella.

Emily Edmonds as Cinderella and Emma Matthews as Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. Photo: Rhiannon Hopley

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There’s charm aplenty in this abridged version of the world’s favourite fairytale, together with vivid costumes, spirited choreography and more than a dash of humour, both verbal and physical.

We also got the highly anticipated return to the Opera Australia stage of Emma Matthews, as the Fairy Godmother, and what a treat that was, albeit frustratingly short.

The lightness of Jules Massenet’s confection and the familiarity of the story will undoubtedly appeal to younger operagoers but the quality of the singing will likewise satisfy older tastes, although the libretto seemed to expect more vibrato to an extent I found unsettling.

Spectacular costumes and sets are a highlight of the production of Massenet’s Cinderella. Photos Rhiannon Hopley

Australian mezzosoprano Emily Edmonds played the title role, making her debut for Opera Australia, and Margaret Plummer, another mezzo, took on the role of the Prince (yes, a woman playing a man, not that uncommon in lighter productions going back centuries).

Barbara de Limburg’s clever set design makes an impact right from the start with giant pages of Charles Perrault’s original book extending across the stage, with hidden doors allowing the cast to come and go and the whole edifice unhinging to reveal the rest of the set behind.

Laura Scozzi’s choreography was also a delight, brimming with humour and artistic invention.

The bright colours and mind-bending costumes by director-designer Laurent Pelly were outstanding, particularly the prancing “horses” that pulled Cinders’ coach on the way to the ball.

Emily Edmonds as Cinderella and Richard Anderson as Pandolfe in Cinderella (Cendrillon).

Richard Anderson brought his distinctive bass to the role of Pandolfe, Cinderella’s maritally-oppressed father, and one of the highlights of the opera is his heart-rending aria in which he tells his daughter they will return to their own country estate and be at peace.

Angela Hogan, another mezzo, emerged from the chorus again, this time as the Wicked Stepmother, Madame de la Haltiere, a role she obviously relished.

Rounding out the cast, were the two stepsisters, Noemie (Jennifer Black) and Dorothee (Ashlynn Tymms), and the King, Shane Lowrencev.

A promising start to the season with an all-too-rare appearance by Emma Matthews and a spirited production with a frothy touch.

DETAILS

• OPERA Cinderella

• STARS Emily Edmonds, Margaret Plummer, Emma Matthews, Richard Anderson

• AT Sydney Opera House

• UNTIL March 28

• BOOKINGS 9318 8200 or [e-mail]