Abbado conducts La Cenerentola

Rossini's La Cenerentola is an operatic fairy tale with a remarkably modern edge: there are no fairy godmothers or supernatural transformations, and the magic that drives the story is the power of compassionate love. It was a perfect subject for the innovative French director Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, and this enchanting filmed version from 1981 combines the production values of Ponnelle's La Scala staging (the young Claudio Abbado strikes sparks in the pit) with the visual possibilities of a movie (it was filmed in Vienna). Ponnelle updates the action to Rossini's own era, and with Frederica von Stade in the title role, the results are as refreshing as they are delightful.

Soloists: 

Vincenzo Scarlera (Harpsichord), Francisco Araiza (Tenor), Paolo Montarsolo (Bass), Frederica von Stade (Mezzo-Soprano), Claudio Desderi (Baritone), Margherita Guglielmi (Soprano), Paul Plishka (Bass), Laura Zannini (Mezzo-Soprano)

Ensembles: 

Coro del Teatro alla Scala di Milano, Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala di Milano

Conductor: 

Claudio Abbado