Peter Maxwell Davies: Cinderella English Text: Opera: Vocal Score

Peter Maxwell Davies. Cinderella is a light-hearted pantomime opera based on the traditional story with a few new twists by the composer. The first performances of ‘Cinderella’ were given by children in Kirkwall in the OrkneyIslands who were non-specialist and had shown no unusual interest in or aptitude for music. All vocal parts are written within the range of children’s normal unbroken voices although the three Ugly Sisters can be played by olderboys singing an octave lower than written. Eleven solo parts plus chorus and parts for descant treble and tenor recorders trumpet percussion piano and string quintet with optional viola. 60 mins.

This short opera (duration of 50 minutes) aptly designed for children to perform with modest resources is a version of the familiar tale though with certain adaptations. Cinderella is an au pair girl who arrives on the scene bytrain and there are three ugly sisters who get their just deserts in marriage to the appalling leaders of the armed forces. Writing for children in the Orkney Islands Davies has also included some local references: these can bechanged to suit other times and places. Musically the piece is a bright sequence of little songs choruses dialogue scenes and dances probably best suited to children between the ages of eight and twelve though the parts of theugly sisters can usefully be taken by boys with broken voices.This is a special item which is made to order. Please e-mail our Mail Order Department for further information.

This short opera (duration of 50 minutes) aptly designed for children to perform with modest resources is a version of the familiar tale though with certain adaptations.Musically the piece is a bright sequence of littlesongs choruses dialogue scenes and dances probably best suited to children between the ages of eight and twelve though the parts of the ugly sisters can usefully be taken by boys with broken voices.The music is scored foran orchestra of recorders trumpet percussion strings and keyboard and ranges through a variety of styles. The opera has eleven solo parts and a chorus who act as a train ball guests and the magic kittens. It is alsosuitable for performance by children aged eight and upwards.