Musical works

Written by Lillian Hellman (libretto) and Leonard Bernstein (music), Candide is an operetta based on Voltaire’s eponymous philosophical tale, published in 1759, and premiered on Broadway in 1956. The story serves as a critique of philosophical movements of the time, featuring several characters including Candide, an illegitimate child nicknamed “the optimist”; his cousin and love interest Cunegonde, the main character of the narrative; Martin, Candide’s travel companion; and Pangloss, the philosophy teacher of both Candide and Cunegonde.

From the very first notes of its Overture, Bernstein skillfully introduces the main themes and melodies that run throughout the work. While the stage production was not warmly received at its premiere, Bernstein’s music immediately caught the attention of critics. Fortunately, less than a month later, the Overture was performed at a concert by the New York Philharmonic, and since then, this brilliant piece has continued to resonate in the world’s greatest concert halls