Premiere of Massenet's Cendrillon (1899)

Jules Massenet's opera Cendrillon, a four-act fairy tale based on Perrault's Cinderella, premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 24 May 1899. Massenet, a prominent Romantic-era composer, attended numerous rehearsals prior to the performance, which occurred during the height of his professional success.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Cendrillon is an opera in four acts by Jules Massenet, described as a fairy tale, with a French libretto by Henri Caïn based on Perrault's 1697 version of Cinderella. Massenet, a French Romantic composer known for over thirty operas, completed Cendrillon and Grisélidis, both still awaiting performance, before beginning work on Sapho; Sapho was subsequently given at the Opéra-Comique in November 1897 with great success.

Premiere. The opera premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 24 May 1899, at the height of Massenet's success. The composer took a close interest in the production, attending 60 out of 98 rehearsals prior to the premiere. The work was well received, reflecting Massenet's wit and discreet use of motifs.

People involved

Sources

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