About the work
„Cinderella" is the ballet version of the fairy tale to the famous music of Sergei Prokofiev, whose premiere took place at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in 1945. The choreography underlying this production is by Christopher Wheeldon, whose much-praised staging transfers the classic tale into a colourful, theatrical stage world. Prokofiev's score is among the most significant ballet scores of the twentieth century.
Plot
After her mother's death, Cinderella lives under the rule of a haughty stepmother and two vain stepsisters who force her into menial service. When the royal court invites everyone to a great ball at which the Prince is to choose a bride, Cinderella is not allowed to attend. But a wondrous transformation — in Prokofiev borne by enchanting music filled with the hours and the seasons — gives her gown, carriage and glass slippers for a single night. At the ball the Prince falls in love with the unknown beauty, but at midnight Cinderella must flee, losing a slipper. With it the Prince searches the whole land for his beloved. At last the slipper fits only Cinderella: the fairy tale ends in the happy union of the lovers.
Cultural significance
Prokofiev's „Cinderella", alongside „Romeo and Juliet", is among the most-performed narrative ballets of the twentieth century; famous choreographies were created by Frederick Ashton, Rudolf Nureyev and Alexei Ratmansky, among others. Christopher Wheeldon's version is regarded as one of the outstanding modern interpretations of the material, combining classical storytelling with elaborate stage magic.