Cendrillon (Isouard)

Cendrillon is an opéra comique in three acts by Nicolas Isouard. The French libretto, by Charles-Guillaume Étienne, is based on Charles Perrault's fairy tale Cinderella. It was first performed by the Opéra-Comique at the Salle Feydeau in Paris on 22 February 1810.

Synopsis
Act 1

Cendrillon is the stepdaughter of Baron Montefiascone. She lives in his house with his daughters, Clorinde and Thisbé, where she is treated like a servant. The two sisters are preparing for the royal ball when a beggar arrives asking for hospitality. Cendrillon welcomes him but the sisters drive him away, not realising he is Alidor, the Prince's minister, in disguise. The beggar promises that Cendrillon will be rewarded for her kindness. The Prince has heard rumours of Cendrillon's goodness and he too comes to the house disguised as his valet, Dandini. He learns the true nature of the three stepsisters. Clorinde and Thisbé leave Cendrillon behind as they depart for the ball, but Alidor promises her she will go too.

Act 2

Cendrillon wakes up at the Prince's palace to find herself wearing magnificent clothes. Alidor assures her no one will recognise her in this disguise as he gives her a rose. The Prince meets her, still disguised as Dandini. She allows him to be her "knight (chevalier)" in a mock tournament and he wins. When he asks her to be his wife she flees, leaving a slipper behind.

Act 3

At the Baron's house, Clorinde and Thisbé discuss the news that the Prince has fallen in love with the beautiful stranger at the ball. The Prince tries to find the owner of the slipper and arrives at the Baron's house. It fits Cendrillon and the Prince offers her his hand in marriage. She gladly accepts.

Musical numbers
Act 1:


 * "Arrangeons ces fleurs ces dentelles - Clorinde, Tisbé, Cendrillon, Alidor
 * "Je suis modeste et soumise" - Cendrillon
 * "Mon fils, mon fils, que ce moment est doux" - Alidor, Prince Ramir
 * "Ah! quel plaisir, ah! quel beau jour!" - Clorinde, Tisbé
 * "Ô l'heureuse journee, toujours nouveaux plaisirs" - chorus
 * "Allons, allons que tout s'arrête" - Dandini, Cendrillon, Baron de Montefiascone, Clorinde, Tisbé, Alidor, Prince Ramir, chorus

Act 2:


 * "Ô doux sommeil sur l'innocence" - Clorinde, Tisbé, Prince Ramir, Alidor, Cendrillon
 * "Conservez bien cette bonté" - Alidor, Cendrillon
 * "Qui, vous, ma souveraine" - Clorinde, Tisbé
 * "Ô sexe aimable mais trompeur" - Prince Ramir
 * "Oh la victoire m'est promise" - Prince Ramir, Cendrillon
 * "A la plus belle, offrons nos vœux" - Prince Ramir, Cendrillon, Baron de Montefiascone, Clorinde, chorus

Act 3:


 * "Vous épouserez, vous épouserez" - Clorinde, Tisbé, Cendrillon
 * "Vous l'aimiez donc avec tendresse" - Prince Ramir, Cendrillon, Clorinde, Tisbé, Dandini, Baron de Montefiascone, Alidor, chorus

Recordings

 * 1957: Conductor Carl Maria Artz, Sender Freies Berlin Radio, Eve Maria Egner, Margot Risa, Rose Espig
 * 2018: Conductor Pierre Valle, Manhattan School of Music Opera Theater Orchestra, Amanda Austin, Michael St. Peter, Marcel Sokalski, Hyeree Shin, Abigail Shapiro