October 26th, 2022Lyster Opera presents La Cenerentola

FOLLOWING their successful tour of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale in May/
June, Lyster Opera returns to the stage with Rossini’s hilarious take on
the Cinderella story, La Cenerentola.
Considered by many to have some of opera’s finest writing for solo voice and
ensembles, La Cenerentola takes the famous story in a number of different directions.
Mistaken identities and reworked characters are woven into the narrative before the
inevitable happy ending.
Lyster Opera presents this opera in the style of the great touring companies that
roamed Australia in the Gold Rush era. Singers of note would travel from town to
town to perform to audiences in local venues, often providing linking narration to
break through any language barrier.
“It’s a remarkably resilient format,” says company founder Jamie Moffat. “It has
great appeal for all audiences, from opera buffs to those new to the art form.”
Lyster Opera is named for William Saurin Lyster, the great 19th century
entrepreneur, and shares his vision of celebrating the art of opera with new audiences,
at an affordable price.
In this production, emerging mezzo-soprano Alexandra Mathew takes the
title role of Cinderella, with tenor Hew Wagner as her handsome prince, Ramiro.
Vying for his attention are Cinderella’s evil step-sisters, sung by Helen Koehne and
Angelique Tot. A plot by Ramiro’s tutor, Alidoro (Angus Grant) involves the valet
Dandini, sung by Michael Lampard, aided by courtiers sung by James Macaulay and
Luke Belle.
This new, staged production is directed by Jamie Moffat, assisted by Luke Belle,
with accompaniment and musical direction by Pamela Christie. New costumes have
been designed and executed by Maddy Connellan. La Cenerentola is being performed
at Christ Church, Daylesford on November 5 at 2.30pm.
For tickets, and more venues and dates, head to www.lysteropera.com.au