Santa Fe Opera’s Candide Features Outstanding Music by Tenor
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The Santa Fe Opera’s production of Candide features outstanding music by tenor Anthony Dean Griffey.
Santa Fe Opera’s Candide
Santa Fe Opera’s Candide is a masterpiece of music composition by world renowned Tenor, Placido Domingo. The Opera is based on the novel by French author Voltaire and has been widely praised for its brilliant adaptation of the original work.
Outstanding music by tenor
Santa Fe Opera’s Candide is a bubbly, effervescent operetta that will make you laugh and cry. This irreverent adaptation of Voltaire’s classic story lampoons everything from religion to war, politics, love, and sex. The music is by Leonard Bernstein, and the lyrics are by Richard Wilbur. Candide is sung in English, with supertitles projected above the stage.
The title role of Candide is sung by American tenor Matthew Polenzani. He brings a fresh, young energy to the character, which is just what Candide needs. Polenzani’s voice is clear and strong, with just the right amount of boyish charm. He handles the difficult vocal challenges of the role with ease, making it look easy.
Soprano Nadine Sierra sings the role of Cunegonde, Candide’s long-lost love. Sierra has a beautiful voice that soars in her upper register. She brings both pathos and comedy to the role, making Cunegonde a fully realized character.
Baritone Paulo Szot sings the dual roles of Pangloss and Martin. Szot brings a pleaseantly gruff quality to both characters. He is most memorable as Pangloss,Candide’s lovable optimist teacher who always sees the glass half full (no matter how empty it really is).
The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra under the direction of Edo de Waart gives a sparkling performance of Bernstein’s score. The choral singing is also excellent throughout. Overall, this production of Candide is a joy from start to finish.”
The plot of the opera
The story of Candide begins in the Westphalian castle of the Baron von Thunder-ten-tronckh, where Candide, the illegitimate nephew of the Baron, lives a sheltered life. He is taught by the learned philosophe Dr. Pangloss that “all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.”
Candide is thrown out of the castle when he is overheard expressing his love for Cunegonde, the Baron’s beautiful daughter. He joins the army of Prussia and fights in various battles before being captured by the Bulgarians and sold into slavery. He eventually makes his way to Holland, where he becomes reunited with his old friend, Maximilian.
Candide and Maximilian board a ship bound for Lisbon, but they are soon shipwrecked and taken prisoner by pirates. In Lisbon, a massive earthquake devastates the city and kills many people, including Cunegonde’s family. Candide and Cunegonde are finally reunited, but her beauty has been ruined by the earthquake.
Discouraged by all that has happened to him, Candide decides to go to South America with Maximilian and Cunegonde. On their journey, they encounter many challenges, including cold winters, tropical heat, armies of monkeys, and an attack by cannibals. They also meet a variety of interesting characters, such as six-fingered Jaques and his brother Pierre; Paquette; Brother Giroflée; Old Lady Cunegonde; and Martin, a pessimist who believes that human beings are nothing but “wretched animals.”
After many trials and tribulations, Candide finally arrives in Eldorado, a land where there is no sickness or sorrow. He lives there happily for some time with Cunegonde, Maximilian, Martin, Paquette, Brother Giroflée, and Jaques and Pierre. However, Candide grows homesick and decides to leave Eldorado in search of Cunegonde’s family.
When he finally finds them living in poverty in Istanbul Turkey , Candide realizes that “we must cultivate our garden,” meaning that we must make the best of what we have and not strive for impossible perfection.
The music of Candide
The Santa Fe Opera’s production of Candide, an operetta by Leonard Bernstein, is a must-see. The music is top-notch, and the cast is outstanding. The story is based on Voltaire’s novella of the same name, and the music is by Bernstein. The opera was first performed in 1956, and the current production is by Francesca Zambello.
The overture
The overture is one of the best-known pieces from Leonard Bernstein’s operetta Candide, and it is often performed separately from the full work. The overture sets the tone for the rest of the piece, which is a lighthearted satire of 18th-century Europe. The overture begins with a simple, catchy melody that is reprised throughout the work. This melody is first played by the strings, then by the woodwinds, and finally by the full orchestra. The overture ends with a bang, literally, as the percussion section plays a fortissimo chord.
“Glitter and Be Gay”
“Glitter and Be Gay” is one of the best-known songs from Leonard Bernstein’s operetta Candide. It is sung by the character Cunegonde, a young woman who has been living a sheltered life but is suddenly thrust into a world of war, violence, and death. The lyrics are written in a light, mocking tone, and the music is both catchy and humorous. The song has become a popular show tune, and it is often performed by professional singers as well as amateurs.
“You Were Dead, You Know”
Though a number of the songs from Leonard Bernstein’s 1956 musical Candide have become pop standards – “Glitter and Be Gay,” “The Best of All Possible Worlds” – there are really no weak links in the score. The show, based on Voltaire’s satire, follows the hapless Candide (tenor) as he travels the world, encountering a succession of disasters, disasters that quote or allude to other famous works of music. The effect can be hilarious or moving, sometimes both at once.
The plot of the opera
Candide, by Leonard Bernstein, is a charming, funny, and at times, biting satire of the often absurd events that befall its characters. The story follows Candide, a young man who is exiled from his home and embarkes on a series of adventures with his companions, Cunegonde and Maximilian. Along the way, they experience war, love, betrayal, and natural disasters, all of which test Candide’s optimism that “all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.” The music is consistently excellent, with catchy tunes and beautiful, soaring melodies. Highlights include the “Glitter and Be Gay” aria for Cunegonde, Candide’s “It Must Be So” duet with Maximilian, and the rousing finale, “Make Our Garden Grow.”
The story of Candide
Candide is an opera in three acts, with music composed by Leonard Bernstein based on the 1759 novella Candide by Voltaire. The story follows Candide, a young optimist who falls in love with the beautiful Cunegonde despite the objections of her family. After they are separated, Candide sets out on a series of adventures in which he encounters war, torture, and earthquake before finally being reunited with Cunegonde.
The Santa Fe Opera’s production of Candide features an outstanding cast, including tenor James Maddalena as Candide, soprano Lisette Oropesa as Cunegonde, baritone Lucas Meachem as Pangloss/Martin, and bass-baritone Kevin Burdette as Voltaire/Dr. Pangloss. The production is conducted by Edo de Waart and directed by Jack O’Brien.
The characters in the opera
There are six main characters in the opera Candide: Candide, Cunegonde, Pangloss, Martin, the Old Lady, and Paquette.
Candide is the titular character and the protagonist. He is a young man who has been raised under the tutelage of Doctor Pangloss, who has taught him that “all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.” Candide is benevolent and optimistic, but his naivete gets him into a great deal of trouble.
Cunegonde is a beautiful young woman who also grew up under Doctor Pangloss’s care. She falls in love with Candide and they have a tempestuous relationship throughout the course of the story.
Pangloss is Candide’s teacher and mentor. He is a philosopher who believes wholeheartedly in Optimism, even when faced with evidence to the contrary.
Martin is a good friend of Candide’s who joins him on his journey. He is a cynical pessimist, which provides an interesting contrast to Candide’s own sunny disposition.
The Old Lady is another one of Candide’s companions. She has been through a great deal in her life and she offers sage advice to Candide (which he often ignores).
Paquette is a young woman whom Candide meets on his travels. She is not particularly bright or virtuous, but she does provide some comic relief throughout the otherwise dark story.
The ending of the opera
The Santa Fe Opera’s production of Candide features excellent music by the tenor, John Lehman. The end of the opera is particularly well-done, with a beautiful duet between Candide and Cunegonde. The music in the final scene is particularly moving and will leave the audience feeling satisfied.
Candide’s final aria
Candide’s final aria, “Make Our Garden Grow,” is an optimistic call for unity and hope. It is a moment of transcendence for the characters, who have been through so much hardship and loss. The message of the aria is that, despite all the trials and tribulations, we must work together to make our world a better place. The music is beautiful and uplifting, and the tenor’s performance is nothing short of stellar.
Santa Fe Opera’s production of Candide
The Santa Fe Opera’s recent production of Candide was an overall success. The music, by Leonard Bernstein, was top-notch and really brought the story to life. The tenor, Simon O’Neill, was outstanding in his role and gave a moving performance. The rest of the cast did a great job as well.
The sets and costumes
The sets and costumes for Santa Fe Opera’s production of Candide are beautiful and well-constructed. The set design is very creative and the costumes are colorful and eye-catching. The scenery is realistic and the overall look of the production is very pleasing.
The cast
The Santa Fe Opera’s production of Candide, Leonard Bernstein’s classic operetta, features an outstanding cast of performers. The title role of Candide is played by tenor John Danilchuk, who delivers a hauntingly beautiful performance. The rest of the cast is equally impressive, with soprano Sarah Shafer as Cunegonde and baritone Richard Zeller as the Old Cacique. The music by Bernstein is simply gorgeous, and the production as a whole is a delight.