During the latter run, Candide was broadcast live on PBS’ Live from Lincoln Center. The opera house version was performed in repertory until 1984, and again during a short 8 performance run in 1986.
In 1982, under the direction of Hal Prince, the New York City Opera staged a popular new production of Candide which became known as the “opera house version.” The lavish production featured 46 cast members, and an orchestra of 52 players. The production received positive reviews, with New York Times theatre critic Brooks Atkinson describing it as a “brilliant musical satire,” and praising Bernstein’s “wonderful score,” and the visual sumptuousness of the production.Ĭandide was nominated for multiple awards, including five Tony Awards.ĭespite the critical praise, the show was a commercial flop and closed on Februafter 73 performances. Pangloss, Barbara Cook as Cunegonde, Irra Petina as the Old Lady, and Robert Rouseville as Candide. The production was directed by Tyrone Guthrie, and featured Max Adrian as Dr. The out-of-town try-outs were infamous for running long, with the curtain coming down until well after midnight on at least one occasion.Ĭandide opened on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre on December 1, 1956. He premiered the Overture in 1956 with the New York Philharmonic where it was an instant hit.Ĭandide was first performed in Boston.
Initially collaborating with Lillian Hellman, Bernstein wrote the score in the early 1950s. The story was a criticism of the notion that “All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds,” and followed the life of Candide, a young man seeking happiness in the world and encountering war, famine, and grief. Leonard Bernstein’s operetta Candide was based on the French novel Candide, ou L’Optimisme by Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire.
0 kommentar(er)
