Cinderella at Lyric Opera

Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended

"...“Cinderella” is a barnstormer of a title — enough to make a dent in the age of the average operagoer — but there is no fairy godmother, glass slipper, pumpkin, nor midnight rush for home in Rossini’s emotionally potent “La Cenerentola.” Cinderella doesn’t talk to the animals as in the Rodgers and Hammerstein version, but she does sing some of Rossini’s most beautiful music, including “Non piu mesta,” an intoxicatingly gorgeous aria that explores the oft-forgotten relationship between happiness and forgiveness."

Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended

"...Making her Lyric debut as Cinderella is the Russian-born mezzo-soprano Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, who possesses virtually everything one could ask for in this title role. It starts with a winning naturalism and luminosity across her full range, especially her breathtaking lower register, and all the vocal power she needs."

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...Two young stars, mezzo-soprano Vasilisa Berzhanskaya (she of the soaring upper range) and tenor Jack Swanson, are believable as Cinderella and her prince; soprano Teresa Castillo and mezzo-soprano Sophia Maekawa ham it up as the over-the-top stepsisters; and baritone Alessandro Corbelli reprises his butt-of-all-jokes role as the stepfather. Yi-Chen Lin conducts the Lyric Opera Orchestra and the gentlemen of the Lyric chorus."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"..."Cinderella" is one of the quintessential feel-good stories, and of the many versions out there, the comic opera composed by Gioachino Rossini in 1817 (called La Cenerentola) is one of the best-crafted and beloved. The music, which sounds very similar to his success from the previous year, The Barber of Seville, is exuberant, the libretto by Jacopo Ferretti is smart, and the role of Cinderella's evil stepfather is one of theatre's greatest buffoons. The production now at the Lyric Opera, a revival directed by Gregory A. Fortner of Jean-Pierre Ponnelle's staging from 1969, is also expertly crafted. For those who might have concerns about a production whose director died in 1988 and whose leads and conductor are making their Lyric debuts, rest assured that this version of Cinderella remains timeless and is full of new life."

WTTW - Highly Recommended

"...There is something about the Cinderella story that never fails to delight. And it might just be that those with a good heart and a true understanding of love will invariably triumph over those who are greedy and hungry for social superiority."

Third Coast Review - Recommended

"...As with all of the variations of Cinderella, the story is about true love and virtue. This story is based on the folk tales of Giambattista Basile with magic transformations, a shoe, and wicked evil women. It was a nice change to have the man as the opportunist. This story does not feature a shoe but the love story is sweet. I highly recommend Cinderella/ La Cenerentola as a fun time with everything but the pie fight. Also, there were several princesses in the audience adorned in tiaras and tulle."

Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended

"...If you are interested in seeing a young cast of incredibly talented singers at the beginning of their careers so you can one day claim you saw them when, rush down to the Lyric Opera of Chicago for their current production of Rossini’s Cinderella. I was absolutely amazed at the strength of the performances in literally every role in this tight ensemble piece. It can’t be overstated how exceptionally well the entire ensemble works together to create a dynamic and enthralling musical and comedic confection."