Cendrillon [Cinderella] takes the stage of
Steinmetz Hall with Grammy award-winner Lindsay Ohse in the title role

Dreams become destiny this coming February as the classic Cinderella fairy tale meets French grand opera. Bring the whole family to enjoy Opera Orlando’s gorgeous production of Jules Massenet’s Cendrillon (Cinderella) in Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. This all-new show, full of love, laughter, and spectacular music played by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and featuring dancers from Orlando Ballet, only runs for two performances on February 7 and 9, so get your tickets today to experience the thrill and spectacle of Orlando’s opera company.

“Our February production will be truly magical,” shares Opera Orlando General Director Gabriel Preisser. “Massenet sticks close to the original French version of the Cinderella story by French author Charles Perrault, which is the version we all know and love, especially all our Disney fans out there. But our version will be something entirely new for our audiences. Massenet’s music enriches the fairy tale elements of the story to include a touching narrative about family and love, while also keeping enough magic and whimsy in the opera to appeal to all ages. Our production is not only going to be a feast for the ears but a feast for the eyes as well, all headlined by the incredible Metropolitan Opera and Grammy Award-winning soprano Lindsay Ohse. Opera Orlando fans will remember her debut performance with the Company as Gilda in our 2022 production of Rigoletto, and we are so excited to have her back to sing this iconic role.”

International soprano Lindsay Ohse is praised for her “dazzling and crystal clear” voice, which she shared with Opera Orlando audiences in this season’s Summer Concert Series. She returns this January to start rehearsals for Cendrillon on the heels of her performances as Papagena in The Metropolitan Opera’s holiday showings of Julie Taymor’s production of The Magic Flute. This production of Cendrillon marks her second time singing the title role, although she has also performed as Cinderella’s sister, Noémie, in the 2021-22 season at The Metropolitan Opera. Ms. Ohse will be joined by Chinese tenor Zhengyi Bai, making his Company debut singing the role of Prince Charming. Born and raised in Shandong province of China, Mr. Bai moved to the States to participate in the prestigious Merola Opera Program and Adler Fellowship and has since been recognized for his “charming verve and dramatic intensity.” He sings with companies around the world including The Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, the Salzburg Festival, and companies in China.

Cendrillon will be conducted by Alexandra Enyart, who returns to the Company after conducting the 2021 production of As One. She will be joined by stage director James Marvel, making his Company debut and taking the lead in telling this heartfelt tale. The cast also includes powerhouse voices such as baritone Darren Drone as Cinderella’s father Pandolfe and mezzo-soprano Samantha W. Petersen as Cinderella’s stepmother Madame de Haltière, as well as effervescent soprano Alisa Jordheim as the ethereal Fairy Godmother. Opera Orlando Studio Artists soprano Kristen Marie Gillis and mezzo-soprano Erika Vasallo sing the roles of Cinderella’s not-so-nice stepsisters Noémie and Dorothée, with an ensemble featuring both members of the Opera Orlando Chorus and Youth Company, alongside dancers from Orlando Ballet.

“Getting to build a fairy tale world is a particular highlight for me as a director,” states stage director James Marvel. “Cendrillon is such a fun story to tell with the absurdity of the stepmother and stepsisters, enchanting moments with the Fairy making Cinderella’s dream come true, and true love that Cinderella finds in her Prince Charming. Really, what’s not to love? Coupling all of this with an incredible orchestra and singers in Steinmetz Hall is going to make it a pretty special event for Orlando audiences.”