Prologue

Once upon a time there was a king
Who was tired of being alone.
He searched and searched for a bride
But in the end found only three.

Whom did he choose?
Not the most beautiful or splendid,
But her with goodness and innocence.

La, la, la, la la.
La, la, la, la la.

Stepsister: Are you still singing that tired old thing? Give it a rest already!

Cinderella: Let me sing beside the fire… Once—

Stepsisters: And twice! And three times!

--Cinderella's Song, Rossini's La Cenerentola