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Cenerentola

Rossini's Cenerentola is a more complex tale than many versions of Cinderella, but all the better for it. Angelina, La Cenerentola, is third daughter of the haughty Don Magnifico,  but treated as a slave to her stepsisters Clorinda and Tisby. As she cleans, a beggar comes hungry to the door. The stepsisters shoo him away, but Angelina gives him food and drink. Courtiers from the palace meantime announce an approaching visit from the prince, Ramiro, who is searching for the most beautiful girl to be his bride. The party arrives, the Prince disguised as a valet, and the valet, Dandini, as the Prince. They are struck by the family’s ill treatment of Angelina, but also by her beauty. The beggar returns, asking for Don Magnifico's third daughter - but he insists he has none. Finding Angelina, the beggar reveals himself to be Alidoro, tutor to the Prince, and invites her to the ball from which her father has forbidden her attendance. At the ball, Dandini gives the family a tour of the cellar, getting Don Magnifico drunk, and reporting to the Prince the stupidity of the daughters. They are interrupted by the arrival of a veiled guest, Angelina, whom not one of them recognises, but feel uneasily that they have seen her before. Dandini, as the prince, asks Angelina to marry him, but she refuses as she is in love with his valet, at which point the real prince emerges from his hiding place. Angelina gives him one of her bracelets, and assures him that if he loves her, he will find her. Back in their home, Angelina is interrupted in her chores by the Prince and his entourage, whose carriage has been overturned in a storm. The lovers recognise each other, and embrace, to Don Magnifico's horror. Angelina's heart however is softer, and she begs the Prince not to punish her family.