Utah State University Opera Theatre will present a French-language retelling of the classic Cinderella fairy tale during its 2026-2027 season. The production of Jules Massenet's 1899 opera, titled Cendrillon, will be held at USU's Morgan Theatre with live orchestral accompaniment provided by university orchestra students and alumni.
Cendrillon Production Details
The upcoming production of Cendrillon features music by Jules Massenet and a libretto by Henri Caïn. According to Utah State University, the opera is a magical and humorous retelling of the classic story, following Cinderella as she attempts to break free from her stepmother's jealousy to find a happily-ever-after with Prince Charming.
Performance dates for the production include November 21, December 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m., and November 22 at 4:00 p.m. While the opera will be sung in French, the performance will include English titles for the audience. The university has issued a content advisory for the production noting there is no specific advisory, but it recommends the show for ages 8 and older, noting that children under 3 are not permitted.
Direction and Performance Information
Dallas Aksoy, a lecturer and the Opera Theatre Director at Utah State University, will direct the production. Aksoy, whose professional work includes serving as a music director and collaborative pianist for the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, will oversee the musical stagecraft of the performance.
Adam Bowen is scheduled to serve as the conductor for the production. Ticket pricing for the event is set at $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and youth. Utah State University students, as well as faculty and staff from the Music and Theatre departments, may attend for free.
Opera Theatre Educational Mission
The USU Opera Theatre provides students with opportunities to perform classical works and modern musical theatre. The program focuses on teaching musical stagecraft, allowing students to tell stories through sight and song. The university notes that the program serves as a starting point for singers who frequently move on to prestigious graduate schools, conservatories, and professional companies worldwide.
To provide authentic, industry-standard experiences, the department occasionally brings in guest directors from across the country. Additionally, the program offers opera scholarships through the Marie Eccles Caine-Russell Family Opera Outreach Quartet, which provides training and performing opportunities for outstanding voice students.
Outreach and Scholarship Programs
The Opera Outreach Quartet, supported by the generosity of the Marie Eccles Caine-Russell Family, consists of four scholarship recipients. The quartet's primary responsibility is to prepare and present thirty-minute opera or musical performances at high schools throughout the Intermountain West.
Current members of the 2026-2027 USU Opera Outreach Quartet include soprano Eleanor Lynn and soprano Claire Francis. Eleanor Lynn, who studies in the USU Vocal Performance program under Dr. Cindy Dewey and Jamilynn Manning, has performed in various productions including The Pirates of Penzance and Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio. Claire Francis is a sophomore in the Vocal Performance Program at Utah State University.
Upcoming 2026-2027 Season Schedule
In addition to the Cendrillon production, the USU Opera Theatre has scheduled other performances for the 2026-2027 season. The program will present Jesus Christ Superstar, featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice.
The production of Jesus Christ Superstar is scheduled for April 2, 3, 8, and 10 at 7:30 p.m., with a 4:00 p.m. performance on April 4 at the USU Caine Lyric Theatre. This production will be performed by USU Opera Theatre students with live orchestral accompaniment. Due to themes involving violence, suicide, murder, blood, and strobing lights, the university recommends this production for ages 12 and older, with no children under 3 permitted.
Department Information
The Utah State University Music Department is located at 4015 Old Main Hill in Logan, Utah. The department is part of the College of Arts and Sciences. For more information regarding opera productions or to register for courses such as MUSC 5600 Opera Theatre Production, students are encouraged to contact Professor Aksoy.
Music Department Faculty
The university maintains a directory of its faculty and staff within the College of Arts and Sciences. The music department includes various professors and instructors, including Anne Francis, Ashlin Christian, Bradley Ottesen, Braun Khan, Cahill Smith, Christopher Scheer, Cindy Dewey, Corey Christiansen, Corinne Pickett, Cory Evans, Craig Jessop, and several others.
