UBC Opera: Candide - Leonard Bernstein

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Cost: $50.00
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Operetta in Two Acts
Sung in English with English Surtitles
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics primarily by Richard Wilbur
Based on the 1759 novella of the same name by Voltaire.

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder

Jonathan Girard conductor
Christopher Gaze narrator
Nancy Hermiston director
Members of the UBC Symphony Orchestra

Embark on a lively journey through the “best of all possible worlds” in Leonard Bernstein‘s Candide, a satirical operetta based on Voltaire’s novel of the same title. The work blends wit, philosophy, and unforgettable music. Follow the innocent and optimistic Candide, who, under the guidance of Dr. Pangloss, believes that every misfortune is part of a grand divine plan. Banished from his home, Candide‘s adventures take him across Europe and the New World, encountering war, shipwrecks, natural disasters, and betrayals. Throughout his trials, he remains strong in his resilience and his belief that “all is for the best,” until he discovers that true fulfillment in life comes from nurturing one’s own garden. To guide us through this tangled web of Candide’s journey, the Bard himself, Christopher Gaze, will assume the role of the Narrator.

Matinée Performance: Feb. 8th, 2026 at 2:00pm
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