<<  -- 3 --  Roderic Dunnett    COMIC TOUCHES

Elsewhere, Pido and the orchestra gave a terrific performance, starting right from the outset with some exquisite, elusive pianissimi, and fine contributions ensuing from clarinets, bassoons and violins (someone's mobile phone sounding off in impeccable counterpoint), with Pido especially successful, at almost every point, in matching the great set piece arias of Cinderella herself (Vesselina Kasarova) and the disguised Prince (Juan Diego Florez).

This is one of those roles Kasarova has made her own. Her ability to play the homespun Mrs Mop is remarkable : even if when she launches with those glowing, velvety tones into her fairy-tale ditty, the low, deep register is such that it sounds as if she's her aunt or granny rather than the wispy wee lass of the story. Kasarova, here beefily attired in dowdy colours, looks as if she 'works out' in the local gym : one is surprised the ugly sisters weren't covered in bruises from her solid left hooks. What one loved about all of her arias was her way, with Pido's help, of finding space in them. By being unhurried, she suddenly gave the music -- and hence her character too -- new dimensions.

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