10 September 2025
Newsdesk
The English National Opera (ENO) will open its 2025/26 season with a 21st-century reimagining of Rossini’s classic opera, Cinderella (La Cenerentola). Directed by the rising star of opera Julia Burbach, this new production will transport the romantic fairytale to contemporary London, set against a backdrop of modern celebrity culture. The show runs for six performances at the London Coliseum from September 27 to October 14, 2025.
In this fresh adaptation, a new English translation by Christopher Cowell brings a few twists to the familiar story. Instead of a Fairy Godmother, Cinderella and Prince Charming are guided by a chorus of ancestral spirits. And while pumpkins and glass slippers make an appearance, they might not be where audiences expect.
The production features a dynamic cast of operatic talent. Canadian mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny makes her ENO debut in the title role of Cinderella, and British tenor Aaron Godfrey-Mayes stars opposite her as Don Ramiro. The cast also includes Simon Bailey as Cinderella's father, David Ireland as Alidoro, Grace Durham as Tisbe, and Isabelle Peters as Clorinda. The acclaimed Taiwanese conductor Yi-Chen Lin will make her ENO debut leading the Orchestra of ENO.
In a statement, Burbach said she hopes to give audiences an evening that makes them "feel lighter on their feet when they leave," highlighting the humor and humanity in Rossini’s timeless classic.
Cinderella is part of ENO's initiative to make opera accessible, with free tickets for under-21s and discounted tickets for those aged 21-35.
