Classical Review: La Cenerentola

Venue: Mahon Omniplex (Met Live in HD)

Joyce DiDonato, Rossini, the Metropolitan Opera, and the host at the Wedding Feast at Cana have one thing in common — keeping the best wine until last.

The American coloratura mezzo was a captivating, brilliant Cinderella (pictured) throughout Rossini’s wonderful version of Perrault’s fairy story, at the Met, but, when she came to Rossini’s tour-de-force final aria, beginning ‘Nacqui all’affano’ and ending ‘Non piu mesto’, she released all her brilliant, sparkling coloratura talents in a performance (marvellously accompanied by Fabio Luisi and the Met orchestra) that left the audience spellbound. It was a fitting climax to the Met’s 2013-14 season of Live in HD transmissions, brought to cinemas in Ireland by Classical Arts Ireland.