New series of performances, following the exceptionally successful first Pan-Hellenic presentation in 2025-26.
Bernstein wrote Candide in the 1950s as a sharp protest against McCarthyism, political extremism, and the ever-increasing manipulation of the masses. Drawing on influences from Broadway musicals, Richard Strauss, jazz, tango, and the contemporary idioms of the 20th century, the composer delivers a delightful musical cocktail, from the famous overture to the heroine’s striking parody-aria “Glitter and Be Gay” and the final catharsis with the magnificent “Make Our Garden Grow.” Above all, though, the great “Lenny” uses his art to boldly address burning issues such as war, corruption, and the abuse of power. Who, indeed, could claim that the work does not remain comically-tragically relevant today?
Libretto in greek.
Programme:
Leonard Bernstein’s Candide (final 1989 version. Semi-staged concert performance, in Greek)
A Comic Operetta in Two Acts based on Voltaire’s eponymous novella (1759)
Participants:
Book by Hugh Wheeler after Voltaire
Lyrics by Richard Wilbur, with additional lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, John La Touche, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker and Leonard Bernstein
Orchestrations by Leonard Bernstein and Hershy Kay
Musical continuity and additional orchestrations by John Mauceri
Narration for concert version by Leonard Bernstein and John Wells, adapted from the satire by Voltaire and the book by Hugh Wheeler, edited and supplemented by Erik Haagensen
Translation-Adaptation & Stage Adaptation: Giorgos Petrou
Costumes: Georgina Germanou
Lighting: Stella Kaltsou
Sound Engineering: Vangelis Koulouris
Assistant Director & Translator: Natalia Bozika
Assistant Costume Designer: Mariza Soulioti
Musical Preparation: Vasilis Alevizos
Assistant Conductor: Nikos Laaris
Cast:
Giannis Kalyvas (Candide)
Danae Kontora (Cunegonde)
Haris Andrianos (Dr. Pangloss)
Nantia Kontogeorgi (Old Lady)
Myrsini Margariti (Paquette)
Giorgos Iatrou (Maximilian)
Yannis Filias (Governor / Captain / Inquisitor / Vanderdendur / Ragotsky)
Athens Choir
Choir Director: Agathangelos Georgakatos
Camerata Friends of Music Orchestra
Music Director: Giorgos Petrou
https://www.megaron.gr/event/leonard-bernstein-candide-kamerata-orchistra-ton-filon-tis-mousikis/
