In the ruined castle of Don Magnifico, his daughters Clorinda and Tizbe are in the middle of one of their usual quarrels. Their half-sister Angelina, called Cinderella, who works as a family maid, sings her favorite song about a king who married an ordinary girl ( Una volta c'era un re). Alidoro, Prince Don Ramiro's teacher, disguised as a beggar, appears at the door. Cinderella's half-sisters want to drive him away, but Cinderella gives him bread and coffee. The courtiers come to announce that Prince Ramiro will visit them soon. He is looking for the most beautiful girl in the kingdom and is organizing a ball where he will choose his bride. Don Magnifico hopes it will be one of Cinderella's half-sisters. A rich marriage is the only way to avoid the ruin of family finances. When the room is empty, Ramiro enters alone, disguised as a servant, so that he can freely observe potential brides. Alidoro told him that there was one girl in the house worthy of the title of princess, and Ramiro was determined to find out who she was. Cinderella returns and finds a stranger. An attraction immediately arises between the two of them. (duet Un soave non so che). The prince asks her who she is, and Cinderella mutters something vague and then runs away. Finally, the "prince" appears - who is in fact Ramir's disguised servant, Dandini. Magnifico, Clorinda and Tizbe compete in flattering and licking the fake prince, who invites them to the ball. Cinderella asks permission to attend the ball as well, but Magnifico refuses (quin tet Sig nor, una paro la ). Ramiro notices how badly they treat her. Alidoro reappears and informs the prince that there is a third daughter in the house, but Magnifico claims that she has died. Staying alone in the room, Alidoro tells Cinderella that he will take her to the ball and explains to her that God will reward her noble heart ( La del ciel nel l'ar ca no pro fon do). In Ramir's summer house, Dandini shares her negative opinion of the two sisters with the prince. However, they are both confused, because Alidoro praised one of the daughters. Clorinda and Tizbe reappear, following Dandini when they think he is a real prince. The sister who does not win over Prince Dandini offers Ramira as her husband. The two of them angrily reject the idea of one of them marrying a servant. Then Alidoro enters with a beautiful unknown lady who strongly resembles Cinderella. Unable to clarify what is happening, everyone sits down to dinner, feeling as if they are in a dream. ACT
II Magnifico fears that the arrival of an unknown beauty could jeopardize the chances of his daughters marrying a prince ( Sia qualunque delle figlie
). Cinderella, tired of Dandini's attempts to seduce her, declares that she is in love with his servant. Ramiro is overjoyed to come to her, but Cinderella tells him that he has to return home and that he does not want to follow her. If he really loves her, he says, he will find her. The prince is determined to win over the mysterious girl ( Si, ritrovarla io giuro ). Meanwhile, Magnifico, who still thinks he is Dundee's prince, confronts him, insisting on deciding which of his daughters to marry. Dandini first advises him to be patient, and then reveals that he is in fact the prince's servant (duet Un segreto d'importanza). Manjifiko is furious. Magnifico and Cinderella's half-sisters return home in a bad mood and order Cinderella, who has changed in the meantime, to prepare dinner. The storm begins and Alidoro arranges for Ramir's carriage to break down in front of the Manifik's castle, so the prince must take shelter from the storm near them. Cinderella and Ramiro immediately recognize each other, while the others comment on the development of events (sextet Siete voi). When Ramiro threatens Magnifico and his daughters who are not willing to accept defeat, Cinderella begs him to forgive them. Ramiro and Cinderella are enjoying their wedding. Magnifico tries to win the affection of the new princess, but she only wants to be finally recognized as his daughter. Unhappy since birth, she saw how much her life had changed and invited her family to join her, declaring that the days of sitting by the fire were over ( Non piu mesta ).
