Alma Deutscher - Cinderella

Alma Deutscher, born 2005, is a young but incredibly gifted composer, violinist and pianist. She caused a mini-sensation when her first full-length opera "Cinderella" - written at the tender age of 8 - debuted in Vienna in 2016 with press and audience alike lauding the production with sterling reviews and standing ovations. Due to it's success, the American debut followed only a year later, in San José, with seven sold out performances - captured on this DVD and Blu-ray release. The four-act opera "Cinderella" - whose patron was Zubin Mehta - puts a twist on the usual narrative of the classic fairytale. Music is a central part of the plot. It is set in an opera production company run by the Evil Stepmother. Although Cinderella is a natural composer, with "beautiful melodies springing into her head", she is not allowed to perform. The prince is a poet, and Cinderella chances upon a captivating love poem, which unbeknownst to her was written by the prince. She is inspired by the poem and sets it to her own music. Her melody is then stolen by her step-sisters and sung at a singing competition during the ball; however, finally Cinderella sings her melody to the prince, unaware that he wrote words to it. Similarly, the prince is unaware that the singer composed the enchanting music to which he composed his lyrics. After Cinderella flees from the ball at midnight, the prince searches for Cinderella not using a glass slipper, as in the traditional fairytale, but using a melody.