Rossini: La Cenerentola

If you can get past a really grungy Don Magnifico--his costume is so dirty you wonder if he spends his nights sleeping under a bridge--you'll enjoy this Cenerentola. Ruxandra Donose is the opposite of Cecilia Bartoli; where Bartoli is exuberant in this role, Donose is restrained and very touching. Luciano di Pasquale makes us feel the vicious nature of Magnifico more than most singers have. Simone Alberghini as Dandini is wonderful to watch, he keeps the subterfuge going so well. I didn't miss the mice in Perrault's story at all.