DAILY CAMERA: Vocal acrobatics enliven CU’s ‘La Cenerentola’

REVIEW: “…singers of the Eklund Opera Program approached “La Cenerentola” with joyous enthusiasm…” 

In dress rehearsals this week, the singers of the Eklund Opera Program approached “La Cenerentola” with joyous enthusiasm, promising a delightful family-friendly production under distinguished guest director Bill Fabris. He presents a traditional, visually sumptuous staging with fantastic sets by Peter Dean Beck and costumes by Tom Robbins, both CU staples. While several repetitious passages are cut from the score (fairly standard for Rossini), none of the musical substance is lost.

…One primary attraction of the Friday/Sunday cast is the return of Egyptian bass and CU alum Ashraf Sewailam as Alidoro, a kindly tutor who serves as the moral compass and stands in for the fairy godmother without the magic. Sewailam, now an international performer, is in preparation for next month’s “Aida” with Opera Colorado.

The voice that made him a household name in Boulder is still as powerful as ever, especially in the Act I aria, a late addition by Rossini to the score. Doubling Sewailam on Saturday is current student Charles Douthit, whose excellent low register made a strong impression in last season’s productions.

Continue reading this review by Kelly Dean Hansen in the Daily Camera.