“Non Piu Mesta” (“No Longer Sad”) is a little aria in Rossini's comic opera La Cenerentola — Cinderella, in inglese — that's the bane and bounty of all coloraturas. Its difficulty is so legendary that only the brave should attempt it, and only the greatest mezzo sopranos will pull it off. If you've ever heard the incomparable Cecilia Bartoli sing it, you've been to opera heaven; the rapidity and fluidity of her turns and trills is astounding as she takes the range and dexterity of the human voice to its outer limits. This week, the equally astounding Georgian mezzo Ketevan Kemoklidze definitely won't be intimidated by the aria's vocal pyrotechnics when she takes on the role of Angelina, aka Cinderella, in L.A. Opera&'s boisterous production of Rossini's masterpiece of farce and charm. Eschewing the magical trappings of the original fairy tale, Rossini instead concentrates on the title character's power to forge her own destiny. Cenerentola is a delight from beginning to end, rivaling The Barber of Seville for both beauty and belly laughs. The cast includes René Barbera as Prince Ramiro, Vito Priante as Dandini, Alessandro Corbelli as Don Magnifico and Stacey Tappan and Ronnita Nicole Miller as the deliciously wicked stepsisters, Clorinda and Tisbe.

Sat., March 23, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., March 28, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., March 31, 4 p.m.; Wed., April 3, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., April 7, 2 p.m.; Sat., April 13, 7:30 p.m., 2013

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