La Cenerentola at the Palais Garnier: Rossini's Cinderella returns to Paris

From June 3 to July 11, 2026, the Palais Garnier welcomes La Cenerentola, one of Gioacchino Rossini 's masterpieces inspired by the famous Cinderella tale. Created in 1817 for the Rome Carnival, this operatic version deliberately distances itself from the marvelous elements of Perrault's tale - no pumpkins, fairies or glass slippers - but retains its emotional essence. Jacopo Ferretti's libretto favors a human and moral re-reading, supported by lively, contrasting music. Guillaume Gallienne, a member of the Comédie-Française, directs the story in a setting on the verge of eruption, reflecting the inner tensions of the characters.

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In this Cenerentola, Angelina lives under the thumb of her father-in-law Don Magnifico and her two half-sisters, all three of whom are ridiculous and self-centered. When Prince Ramiro is looking for a wife, he disguises himself as a servant to observe the young women without them knowing who he is. Through a series of misunderstandings, role reversals and cross-dressing, Angelina's destiny is turned upside down. Here, kindness, modesty and intelligence triumph, in a narrative that is both comic and moving, far from the magic of fairy tales but close to human values.

This show will appeal to opera lovers as much as to those curious about an accessible, lively repertoire. Rossini composes brilliant music, full of virtuosity and humor, which seduces with its apparent lightness and hidden depth. Guillaume Gallienne 's contemporary, symbolic staging may also appeal to audiences familiar with visual theater and the play on classical codes. On the other hand, audiences attached to the fairy-tale version of the tale may be disconcerted by the absence of supernatural elements and the more sober, realistic reading offered here.

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La Cenerentola is one of Rossini's great operas bouffes, composed in record time - 24 days - and performed relentlessly for over two centuries. The score features brilliant ensembles, virtuoso arias and a dramatic construction of great finesse. By including this title at the heart of the 2026 season, the Paris Opera is continuing its work of reinterpreting the Italian repertoire, while promoting a production that is accessible through its humor, music and clear structure. Surtitles in French and English make the production easy to understand for all audiences.

With La Cenerentola, theParis Opera offers a sensitive, joyful and subtle version of the Cinderella myth. With its contemporary staging and irresistible musical inspiration, Rossini's work promises a moment of lyrical theater rich in emotion, to be discovered at the Palais Garnier from June 3 to July 11, 2026.

This article is based on information available to the public prior to the show's premiere. It has been written without prior viewing of the production.