Rossini - La Cenerentola

Arthaus presents Rossini's popular comic opera, La Cenerentola, in a staging from the opera house in Naples. The operatic re-telling of this much loved fairy-tale centres on Cinderella's honesty and integrity, and on her willingness to forgive others, and to encourage those around her to be equally tolerant. Paul Curran's production presented to rapturous acclaim in Genoa in May 2006, finds a rather unusual setting for this moral tale. He sets the story in the year 1912, in his own words, "because I wanted to draw attention to social conflicts, and this was a period when class differences were very real".

Directed by —, Rossini - La Cenerentola leans on a strong ensemble — Sonia Ganassi — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2006.