Admiring Leonard Bernstein both as a composer and conductor, I do like Candide very much. True it is a little episodic in the story structure, but there are a lot of charming, funny and moving scenes and the music is just wonderful. And this is a brilliant performance, while I do enjoy the Kristin Chenoweth/Thomas Allen performance it is this one that I consider the superior performance. Visually, everything is shot and designed beautifully, while the staging is always compelling and doesn't rely on too many gimmicks. The orchestra and chorus play and sing like angels, and while Leonard Bernstein's conducting is not as electric as it was earlier in his career it is still nuanced and emotionally charged with a great sense of a master who knew exactly what he was doing. The jokes and introductions he provided were droll and informative. The performances are right on the money. Jerry Hadley's Candide is moving and beautifully sung, his wide-eyed innocence is also very endearing. June Anderson gives one of her best performances, her singing as Cunegonde is as clear as a bell and while Glitter and be Gay is a lot of characterful fun Anderson succeeds in making the audience feel and empathise for her. Christa Ludwig is a delightful Old Lady, much better than Patti LaPune, the performance is full of life and charm while never resorting to being harsh(the twirling with the castanets was inspired) and I am Easily Assimilated shows some very intelligent(as ever from Ludwig) singing. Nicolai Gedda is past prime, but his musicianship and intelligence really shines, and his Governor is both distinguished and somewhat aristocratic. Kurt Ollman sings resonantly and is delightfully narcissistic. Adolph Green brings a great deal of showmanship in his roles, but if there was anything I didn't like so much it was that compared to the rest(and Thomas Allen, whose performance is the only asset I prefer in Chenoweth's production to here) his more Broadway-like voice was not as well-suited for a Candide as operatic as this one. Overall though, the performance is brilliant. 10/10 Bethany Cox
