New series of performances, following the exceptionally successful first Pan-Hellenic presentation in 2025-26.
\nBernstein 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\u2019s striking parody-aria \u201cGlitter and Be Gay\u201d and the final catharsis with the magnificent \u201cMake Our Garden Grow.\u201d Above all, though, the great \u201cLenny\u201d 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?
\nLibretto in greek.<\/p>\n
Programme: Participants: Athens Choir
\nLeonard Bernstein\u2019s Candide<\/em> (final 1989 version. Semi-staged concert performance, in Greek)
\nA Comic Operetta in Two Acts based on Voltaire\u2019s eponymous novella (1759)<\/p>\n
\nBook by Hugh Wheeler after Voltaire
\nLyrics by Richard Wilbur, with additional lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, John La Touche, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker and Leonard Bernstein
\nOrchestrations by Leonard Bernstein and Hershy Kay
\nMusical continuity and additional orchestrations by John Mauceri
\nNarration 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
\nTranslation-Adaptation & Stage Adaptation: Giorgos Petrou
\nCostumes: Georgina Germanou
\nLighting: Stella Kaltsou
\nSound Engineering: Vangelis Koulouris
\nAssistant Director & Translator: Natalia Bozika
\nAssistant Costume Designer: Mariza Soulioti
\nMusical Preparation: Vasilis Alevizos
\nAssistant Conductor: Nikos Laaris
\nCast:
\nGiannis Kalyvas (Candide)
\nDanae Kontora (Cunegonde)
\nHaris Andrianos (Dr. Pangloss)
\nNantia Kontogeorgi (Old Lady)
\nMyrsini Margariti (Paquette)
\nGiorgos Iatrou (Maximilian)
\nYannis Filias (Governor \/ Captain \/ Inquisitor \/ Vanderdendur \/ Ragotsky)<\/p>\n
\nChoir Director: Agathangelos Georgakatos
\nCamerata Friends of Music Orchestra
\nMusic Director: Giorgos Petrou<\/p>\n