Sergei Prokofiev - Cinderella (Bolshoi-Orch.) - Collectors Mine

The Bolshoi orchestra is the pride of Russia's performing culture. Its performance is marked by faultless technique and the finest sense of ensemble. It involves first-class musicians, many of whom are winners of international competitions and teachers of musical institutions. The Bolshoi choir performance is highly successful and it forms an important element of any ballet.

A room in Cinderella's Father's House. Her Stepmother, a capricious and arrogant woman, with her two daughters Kubishka and Khudishka, who resemble her in mind and characterr, are occupied with preparations for the ball. The kind and polite Cinderella, wearing an old dress, is the image of her dead mother. She is busy with the dirtiest household tasks. Once alone, Cinderella mourns the past, remembering her happy childhood days and her mother, a most kind and beautiful woman.

The ball is in full swing. The Stepmother and Sisters arrive. The Prince appears in the middle of the court melee. Kubishka, Khudishka, the Stepmother and all the ladies try to attract his attention. Unexpectedly, an unknown figure appears in the hall. The Stepmother and the Sisters do not recognise Cinderella. The Prince is enchanted by her and follows her every step. Cinderella, carried away by the fact that her dreams have come true, suddenly remembers about the time. The clock begins to chime midnight. Cinderella runs from the palace and, in her haste, loses one of her slippers. The Prince and the guests rush after her, but she disappears. The Prince picks up the tiny slipper - it will help him find the mysterious beauty.

The Prince is wandering the city, seeking the girl who lost her slipper at the ball. None of the girls there remotely remind him of the mysterious beauty, but the searchers declare that the slipper must be tried on. It is in vain, however, that Kubishka and Khudishka try to squeeze their foot into the tiny slipper. Then the Stepmother decides to try it on. Cinderella, hidden in her corner, drops the other slipper. The startled Prince looks at Cinderella and recognises the girl he has been looking for...

Recorded 1985 by the State Theatre St. Petersburg
Soloists: Gabriella Komleva, Murad Daoekaev, L. Galinskaja, M. Koellik
Conductor: Victor Fedotov
Director: Victor Okoentsov