This autumn’s production of La Cenerentola is a delightful retelling of Rossini’s Cinderella, a candy-coloured world full of wit, towering wigs, flamboyant costumes and larger than life characters. It is a feast for the eyes as well as the ears and is supported by WNO Friends.
This particular production of La Cenerentola– which was first premiered by WNO back in 2007 in Cardiff – has very precise and detailed requirements in the wigs, make-up and costume department. Normally hairpieces are sourced by the wigs and make-up team but due to the distinctive bright, neon colours of the wigs, they come ready to use as part of the production. The male Chorus members sport striking royal blue hair and the two ugly sisters, Tisbe and Clorinda, are decorated with electric pink and lemon yellow wigs.
The make-up is also very stylised, with designer Joan Guillén providing specific notes to WNO’s make-up team that detail, right down to the shape and colour of the eyebrows and the colour of the diamond shaped moles on the singers’ faces, how he wants these characters to be brought to life
With details as fine as these it’s not easy to get everyone ready in time for curtain up. WNO’s team of four wigs and make-up artists focus on the seven principal characters first, while the entire Chorus complete their own make-up using demonstration pictures to get the signature La Cenerentola look. WNO’s professional make-up team then use the last 30 minutes before the show starts to touch up the Chorus members and ensure all wigs and moles are prominent and in place.
This season’s production of La Cenerentola is generously supported by WNO Friends. As preparations get underway for our 2019-2020 Season productions your support could help us to continue to produce spectacular operas in Wales, England and around the world. From just £50 a year your support would also help us deliver orchestral concerts to music lovers and deliver projects in schools to nurture future generations of talented young performers.
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