Part of Live at No. 40

‘We're neither pure, nor wise, nor good, we'll do the best we know. We'll build our house and chop our wood, and make our garden grow.’

Poor Candide. The world should be at his bright young fingertips, but as a man of no name or rank he finds himself cast away from his home and the woman that he loves. As he is tossed through Europe and South America by escalating and exaggerated misfortune, he and his companions must unlearn the cosy optimism of their youth, discovering hope and resilience are better companions in uncertainty. 

Scottish Opera was instrumental in the rebirth of Leonard Bernstein’s satirical opera in the 1980s. Now, Candide returns for the Company’s third year of outdoor performances in the heart of Glasgow.

This large-scale, innovative production sweeps audiences along with the action and features an 80-strong community chorus in partnership with Maryhill Integration Network, an organisation bringing migrants, asylum seekers, and settled inhabitants of Glasgow together through art. While timeless, this production reflects the specific challenges of capitalism and globalisation in today’s world, celebrating all of life’s beautiful, messy stories along the way. 

Director Jack Furness and designer Tim Meacock find constant energy, surreal comedy, and joyful subversion in Candide’s adventures. William Morgan (The Gondoliers 2021) plays the idealist Candide, with Paula Sides as his beloved Cunegonde. The ensemble cast includes Susan Bullock (Breaking the Waves 2019), Ronald Samm (Pagliacci 2018), and Jamie MacDougall (A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2022). Bernstein’s brilliant score gives The Orchestra of Scottish Opera a particular chance to shine. 

Music by Leonard Bernstein.
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.

Kindly supported by Friends of Scottish Opera, Scottish Opera's Education Angels and The Scottish Opera Endowment Trust