Overview
Synopsis
Based on Voltaire’s 1759 novella of the same name, Candide takes the audience on a round-the-world romp of idealistic optimism as it clashes with a series of absurdly unfortunate events. The young and naïve title character is betrothed to the Baron of Westphalia’s beautiful daughter Cunegonde, and along with the maid Paquette and Cunegonde’s brother Maximilian, they all subscribe firmly to the doctrine that has been instilled in them by their teacher Dr. Pangloss: that everything that occurs is for the best, no matter what. Their existence seems to be perfect. Throughout the course of the show, however, this doctrine is constantly called into question as Candide is, in one whirlwind act, exiled, forced into the Bulgarian army, caught up in the Spanish Inquisition, cheated out of a fabulous fortune, shipwrecked on a remote island, and generally being relentlessly torn apart from his love, Cunegonde. Featuring a splendid score by the unparalleled Leonard Bernstein and a charming book by Hugh Wheeler, Candide is a witty and wacky satire of an operetta.
Show Information
- Book
- Hugh Wheeler
- Music
- Leonard Bernstein
- Lyrics
- Richard Wilbur , Leonard Bernstein
- Category
- Operetta
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1956
- Genres
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- 1750s, lisbon, paris, buenos aires
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Chamber Opera, College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Large Cast, Professional Opera, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either or Both |
Variety |
Songs
Act 1
- Overture
- Life is Happiness Indeed – Candide, Baron, Baroness, Cunegonde, Paquette, Maximilian
- The Best of All Possible Worlds - Pangloss, Cunegonde, Candide, Paquette, Maximilian
- Oh, Happy We - Candide and Cunegonde
- It Must Be So – Candide
- O Miserere – Cunegonde, Chorus
- Oh, Happy We – Reprise – Candide and Cunegonde
- Glitter and be Gay – Cunegonde
- Auto Da Fé – Chorus
- This World - Candide
- You Were Dead, You Know - Candide and Cunegonde
- I Am Easily Assimilated - Old Lady, Chorus, Cunegonde
- I Am Easily Assimilated (Reprise) - Old Lady, Candide, Cunegonde
- My Love - Governor of Buenos Aires
- Eldorado Candide, Chorus
- Bon Voyage - Chorus, Governor of Cartagena
- You Were Dead, You Know – Reprise – Candide and Cunegonde
- Finale: Make Our Garden Grow - Candide, Cunegonde, Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A short and usually humorous opera, generally incorporating more spoken dialogue than traditional opera.
Videos
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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