No one cares about opera? We do!

Timothy Carlament says: no one cares about opera. We wouldn't subscribe to that. At the same time, of course, we understand why for many people opera sounds like something to be saved for later or admired from a safe distance. Opera and you? Perhaps it's been more of a "sometime" relationship. If so, La Cenerentola at the Stuttgart State Opera would be a pretty good time to change that.

Rossini's Cinderella manages without kitsch and instead tells a story that seems surprisingly contemporary. It is about social roles, superficiality and the question of what remains of a person when appearances fall away. Sounds deep? It is deep. At the same time, this opera is full of wit, tempo and music that immediately draws you in, even if you tend to use playlists rather than scores in your everyday life.

And so that you don't just have to take our word for it, we spoke to someone who really knows her stuff: leading actress Itzeli del Rosario. She talks to us about her first title role, what makes this production special and why pizza, of all things, was one of the best backstage moments of this production.

What is La Cenerentola about?

At the center is Angelina, better known as Cinderella. In Rossini's work, she is not a passive fairytale character waiting to be rescued, but a young woman with attitude and a clear moral compass. Without magic, but with all the more humanity, she fights her way through an environment full of arrogance, calculation and family meanness.

This is precisely what makes this version so exciting: the fairy tale is stripped back and the interpersonal aspects come to the fore. Perhaps that is why this story still works so well even after more than 200 years, because at its core it tells of how difficult and how radical it can be to remain friendly when completely different rules apply all around.

In conversation with Itzeli del Rosario

This production is also particularly exciting because of its cast: Itzeli del Rosario sings Angelina, her first ever title role. She can't pinpoint a single moment when it became clear to her that she wanted to become an opera singer. She explains that she only discovered opera relatively late - at the age of 25, at a performance of Verdi's Otello in the theater in her home town. After that, however, she quickly realized that she didn't want to lose this art form from her life.

The fact that she is not only musically at home in classical music is also evident away from the opera stage. In her private life, she prefers to listen to music from the sixties to the eighties, influenced not least by her parents, who, as she says, have always had pretty great taste in music.

The fact that La Cenerentola is now her first leading role is something special for her:"This is the very first leading role of my life! Having this experience is a bit crazy - in the very best sense of the word." Above all, the positive energy in the team and the collaboration with her colleagues, who support her every step of the way, make this production an experience for her that goes far beyond a role debut.

Why Rossini's Cinderella still works today

What sets Rossini's version apart from other Cinderella tales is its consistent renunciation of the usual fairytale props. No fairy, no pumpkin, no glass slipper. For Itzeli del Rosario, this is precisely where the play's particular strength lies:

"What makes Rossini's version so special for me is precisely the absence of the traditional fairy tale elements. By removing the fantasy of fairies and magic and instead focusing on a person who has a deep desire to help others and see beyond appearances, the story becomes much more real. It remains relevant as long as there are people who face adversity and persevere through their resilience."

Itzeli del Rosario

The three sisters backstage in the stairwell shortly before the start of the performance. From left to right: Maria Theresa Ullrich, Itzeli del Rosario, Luiza Willert

Backstage between rituals and pizza

Of course, we also wanted to know what it's like behind the scenes. What do you particularly remember from such a rehearsal period?

Itzeli says: "One thing I will never forget is how valuable good colleagues are. Some may become friends, but even beyond that, they always look out for each other - even on the hardest days. I remember one particularly stressful Friday when colleagues from another project surprised us with pizza during a break. The smell of pizza, the laughter and that little moment of breathing deeply helped us to come back with more energy and determination. It was a wonderful end to the day."

And just before the curtain rises?

"As a pre-performance ritual, I like to activate my body with stretching and movement to be ready for whatever is to come. But just before the curtain goes up or I go on stage, I always say a prayer that my grandmother taught me. It gives me peace of mind and the certainty that no matter what happens, everything will be fine."

Itzeli del Rosario

Itzel del Rosario with muffins for the ensemble

Itzeli also has a very clear observation about the audience in Stuttgart: "What I love about the Stuttgart audience is that they know exactly what they want. They are attentive, but at the same time very open and courageous when it comes to experiencing new interpretations of classical works."

Why La Cenerentola is a perfect introduction to opera

If you've never been to the opera before and are wondering whether this piece of all things would be the right place to start, Itzeli del Rosario's answer is pretty clear:

"For anyone who has never been to the opera, I would say that La Cenerentola is a wonderful introduction. It has everything: comedy, drama, mystery and incredible music. This work is there to be enjoyed, to relax and share a beautiful experience together."

Itzeli del Rosario

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Conclusion

La Cenerentola is an opera that invites rather than intimidates. It is clever, funny, emotional and musically so captivating that it is accessible without any prior knowledge. And with Itzeli del Rosario in the title role, this evening has exactly the warmth you want for a successful start. So: if you've been wanting to go to the opera house again for a while or would finally like to find out whether opera is your thing after all - this would be a pretty good time to do so.