"Candide" singer David Walton as "Candide."
South Florida Symphony Orchestra will showcase composer Leonard Bernstein's “Candide” in two acts, featuring six singers on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at New World Center in Miami Beach and on Thursday, Jan. 16 at Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Ft. Lauderdale. A third show is planned for The Tennessee Williams theater on Sunday, Jan. 19 in Key West.
“Candide” is a satirical operetta composition by Bernstein that debuted on Broadway in 1956 and has been revised multiple times over the past seven decades. The SFSO production will be identical to the 2004 semi-staged concert produced for the New York Philharmonic that was televised by Public Broadcast System (PBS) and made into a DVD in 2005.
The two act story of Candide involves the lead character Candide trying to lead his life under the optimism of his mentor Pangross but instead experiences numerous adventures of misfortune. Candide's numerous painful experiences have him reconsider his optimism at the end of the operetta.
"Candide" singer Lovell Rose as "Maximilian."
"Candide" singer Alicia Anderson as "The Old Lady."
However, “Candide” is not tense and sad as Bernstein composed the operetta with humor, as adapted from Voltaire's famed novella, that makes the composition memorable.
“Our premiere of 'Candide' is a rare opportunity to experience one of Bernstein's most thought provoking masterpieces- a thrilling blend of outrageous humor, poignant story telling and unforgettable music that follows the endlessly optimistic Candide on his quest for the best of all possible worlds,” said Sebrina Alfonso, Conductor and Music Director of the South Florida Symphony Orchestra.
“Through the songs, audiences will experience what Candide and the other characters have to endure- earthquakes, heartaches, shipwrecks and wars. The composition is a globetrotting adventure of calamities and self-discovery. Our presentation of the 2004 'Candide' production is one of the boldest and ambitious premieres we had for the South Florida Symphony Orchestra.”
"Candide" singer Chelsea Lehnea as "Cunegone."
Starring with the SFSO will be tenor David Walton (as Candide), soprano Chelsea Lehnea (Cunegonde), baritone Jason Zacher (dual roles of Dr. Pangross and Voltaire), contralto Alissa Anderson (The Old Lady), mezzo soprano Lisa Marie Rogali (Paquette), baritone Lovell Rose (Maximilian) and the South Florida Symphony Chorus.
In addition to the overture to begin act one, there will be more than 30 songs performed by the singers, chorus and orchestra. Among the most well-known songs to be performed are “Glitter and Be Gay,” “Make Our Garden Grow,” “My Love,” “The Best of All Possible Worlds,” and “You Were Dead You Know.” Also to be performed will be the rarely heard comic duet “We Are Women,” sung by Lehnea (Cunegonde) and Anderson (The Old Lady) in the SFSO production.
"Candide" South Florida Symphony Orchestra Sebrina Alfonso and orchestra
One other unique aspect of the SFSO production of “Candide” is the unique staging of the operetta.
"Candide" pre-performance talk by Jamie Bernstein, daughter of composer Leonard Bernstein.
“The production has the orchestra not in the front, but at the back of the floor, with the chorus in the middle and the singers in the front. The vision of the production, especially at New World Center (in Miami Beach) with its three floor platforms will create an intimate, stunning event for the audiences,” said Dan Wallace Miller, the stage director of the production.
New World Center patrons will be treated to a free live in-person talk about the creation of composer Leonard Bernstein's “Candide” by his daughter, songwriter Jamie Bernstein on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. prior to the show.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: South Florida Symphony Orchestra will premiere Leonard Bernstein's “Candide”, a two act operetta featuring six singers and chorus as performed in 2004 as a semi-staged New York Philharmonic presentation.
WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7:30 pm.
TICKETS: $25-80. Tickets may be purchased online at southfloridasymphony.org or by calling the box office at New World Center at (305) 673-3331 or Broward Center at (954) 462-0222.
WHERE: New World Center, 500 17th Street in Miami Beach (Tuesday, Jan. 14) and Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Ft. Lauderdale. (Thursday, Jan. 16)
INFORMATION: southfloridasymphony.org
