“It was a night of too much talent to allow for weighty consideration here, but some moments were very special…As for the stylish mezzo-soprano Joanna Harries, she graced two different versions of Perrault’s most popular fairy tale in conquering both the title role of Rossini’s La Cenerentola and the Prince in Massenet’s Cendrillon.”
“Joanna Harries is the standout amongst the support cast, her mezzo-soprano lending pathos to the daughter whose life is falling apart yet nobody is willing to speak to her.”
Handel’s original production would have been more lavish than this one. But the gestures evolved by the singers – rather than by a director – make a genuine impact, showing the audience where each character is emotionally at any given moment. The result is not merely charming, but surprisingly eloquent.
The singing of all five performers was excellent, as was the music. This production by Liberata Collective with Ensemble Hesperi was probably as near as can now be seen to the opera in Handel's time.