An operetta composed by Leonard Bernstein.
Lyrics by Wilbur, Sondheim, LaTouche, Parker, and Hellman.

University Opera Theatre
University Symphony Orchestra
Kenneth Kiesler, conductor
Matthew Ozawa, director

Adapted from the 1759 novella by Voltaire, this satirical and comic operetta follows good-natured, naïve young Candide on his adventures across the globe. Through war, natural disasters, and other trials, the ever-optimistic Candide and his companions cling to the philosophy that they live in “the best of all possible worlds,” even when reality threatens to teach them otherwise. Candide takes us on a wildly buoyant journey, reminding us that by cultivating “our very own garden,” we have the power to create a world we wish to live in.

Our production celebrates the 100th birthday of American composer Leonard Bernstein, whose musical compositions are renowned for brilliantly uniting diverse musical styles. Candide, first conceived in 1953 by playwright Lillian Hellman, has gained enormous popularity having been performed by opera and musical theatre companies alike. While the show has undergone numerous revisions and incantations such as the 1988 Scottish Opera Version (which U-M will perform), Candide features Bernstein’s most inventive and melodic score, including such favorites as “Glitter and Be Gay” and “Make Our Garden Grow.” In collaboration with the Departments of Theatre & Drama and Musical Theatre, this unique production is sure to be filled with raucous entertainment and exceptional emotional power.

Learn more and listen to excerpts from Candide at: leonardbernstein.com