Broadcasts from the annual Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, New York, continue on Classical 90.5 at noon this Saturday, November 21, with a performance of Candide by Leonard Bernstein. Based on the novella by Voltaire, the work's original libretto of 1956 was by Lillian Hellman. The Glimmerglass performance features the now more often performed libretto by Richard Wilbur and others. Wilbur's libretto was based on the 1974 musical book by Hugh Wheeler, who also authored the books for A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd. Wheeler's adaption follows Voltaire's original story more closely than did Hellman's. The performance will run approximately two hours.
Funny, fast-moving and philosophical, Bernstein's take on Voltaire's satirical novella includes such classic tunes as "The Best of All Possible Worlds" and "Glitter and Be Gay."
“Leonard Bernstein was one of the most gifted and erudite musicians of our time, and his love of literature and wry comedy are exuberantly combined in Candide,” said conductor Joseph Colaneri. “I am always touched by the life-affirming themes and lessons of this effervescent and witty score that ring true from Voltaire’s 18th century right down to the present day.”
THE CAST
Voltaire/Pangloss: David Garrison
Candide: Andrew Stenson
Maximilian: Christian Bowers
Cunegonde: Kathryn Lewek
Paquett: Kristen Choi
Vanderdendur: Cynthia Cook
Martin: Matthew Scollin
The Old Lady: Marietta Simpson
Cacambo: Andrew Marks Maughan
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