Candide

Voltaire wrote Candide in 1759, the full title of which is: "Candide, ou L'Optimisme". Early printings claimed that it was translated from he original German by a Mr. Le Docteur Ralph -- an attempt to deflect the silliness away from himself.

At the time sarcasm and satire were elevated to a high art and Voltaire was the greatest practitioner. Candide attacks French Society, the Catholic Church and even the philosophy of optimism.

Our Showing

2004 production at Avery Fisher Hall (Lincoln Center) with a stellar cast from both the classical opera and the Broadway stages: Sir Thomas Allen as Dr. Pangloss, Patti Lupone as The Old Lady, Kristen Chenoweth as Cunegonde -- filmed before a live audience. Chenoweth is the benchmark performer for Cunegonde due to her high tessitura, facile coluratura and irrepressible high spirited humor.

Synopsis

English language synopsis (ah, this work was written in English).

Libretto

English libretto annotated with the score.

Voltaire Novella

A masterpiece of sarcastic literature.