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PLOT

Cinderella, the daughter of an impoverished country gentleman, lost her mother when she was still quite young. Her father - good-hearted but weak - married again, but his second wife also died, leaving him her two daughters from a previous marriage, nasty creatures who terrorize him and Cinderella, who they have reduced to a scullery-maid. All day long, Cinderella has to sweep, clean and polish.

ACT l
A room in Cinderella's father's house

Cinderella's step-sisters are highly excited: but while they have been invited to a ball at the palace, Cinderella must stay at home. Alone for a moment, she recalls the happy days when her mother was still alive; her father feels the same, but is afraid of his bad-tempered step-daughters, who scold him angrily when he tries to comfort her.

A mysterious, old beggar-woman comes to beg for alms; the step-sisters drive her away, but Cinderella offers her some bread. The old woman casts a gentle look at the kind girl and disappears.
 
Purveyors arrive - dressmakers, hairdresser and jeweler help the step-sisters prepare for the ball. With their dancing-master, they practice the gavotte. Then, Cinderella's father and step-sisters set out for the ball, leaving her sad and alone.

The beggar-woman reappears and reveals herself as Cinderella's fairy godmother. She takes Cinderella far away from her grey, everyday existence, to an enchanted realm of beauty and fantasy, high up among the stars, where the fairies of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter come and offer her their seasons' gifts.

The fairy godmother tells Cinderella that, as a reward for her kindness, she shall go to the ball in the most beautiful dress of all. But she also warns her that she must leave before midnight strikes, or all the magic charms will fade away and Cinderella will be a scullery-maid once more.

In order to arrive at the ball in style, Cinderella is summoned to bring the silvery pumpkin that she grew in her little kitchen-garden, and it is instantly transformed into a luxurious carriage. Dressed in shimmering white, Cinderella rides away to the ball.



ACT II
The ballroom at the palace

The court-jester is waiting for the ball to begin. The guests arrive, including Cinderella's father and step-sisters. A fanfare announces the Prince.

Then, mysterious music accompanies the arrival of Cinderella in her pumpkin coach. She is so beautiful that everyone takes her for a princess; even her step-sisters fail to recognize her. The Prince is charmed by her beauty, and he offers her oranges, the rarest fruit in his realm. The ball guests disperse and the Prince and Cinderella, left alone, declare their love for each other. The waltz is resumed and, caught up by the dance, Cinderella forgets the fairy godmother's warning.

Suddenly the clock strikes 12 and Cinderella rushes from the palace, losing one of her slippers on the stairs. Dismayed, the Prince, picks up the lost slipper and swears he will find the girl he loves.



ACT III
After the ball

Cinderella finds herself once again at the fireside at home. Was it all a dream? Suddenly, she falls, revealing the slipper hidden in her pocket, which convinces her that she really was at the ball and danced with the Prince. The step-sisters come home and brag to Cinderella about their conquests at the ball.

Father announces that the Prince has come, searching for the girl who lost the slipper. When the Prince enters, both the step-sisters try to wrench their coarse feet into the little slipper, hoping to convince him that it is theirs. Cinderella kneels to help - and the second slipper falls out of her apron. The Prince immediately recognizes in the modest Cinderella the beautiful princess of the ball.

The fairy godmother appears. The lovers are united and walk away into the golden light of happiness.