In January 1817, "La Cenerentola or The Triumph of Goodness" was performed for the first time at the Teatro delle Valle in Rome. Soon after, the work traveled to Vienna, to Germany, and quickly became a great success throughout Europe. In this opera, Gioacchino Rossini pulls all the strings of his art: situational comedy here, the ability to convey his humor musically there. "La Cenerentola" tells the story of Cinderella, as it is known in countless countries, albeit in different variations.

But with Rossini, not everything is pure exuberance, and so this opera also thrives on its at least semi-serious undertones. The well-known fairy tale becomes for Rossini a comedic mix-up, a biting social satire, and a celebration of voices. In an incredible 24 days, he crafted his "dramma giocoso," filled with belcanto cantilenas, rapid coloraturas, and the typically vibrant and quirky ensembles that characterize his work. Christopher Cowell directs at the Landestheater in Detmold.