Candide

Leonard Bernstein's comic operetta based on Voltaire's satirical 18th-century novel was a flop on Broadway in 1956, but over the years numerous attempts have been made to salvage the marvelous music by replacing Lillian Hellman's problematic book that details the comic journey of the titular innocent. This 2004 semi-staged concert performance by the New York Philharmonic includes virtually all of the music (although with some altered lyrics), but the spoken dialogue reflects the reworked libretto by Hugh Wheeler that was commissioned by Hal Prince for his 1974 revival, along with further alterations taken from versions fabricated for various opera companies. Director Lonny Price also adds several low-comedy bits to the mix, such as having the Inquisitor who condemns poor Candide to the auto da fé made up to look like Donald Trump, who yells, “You're fired!” And when Candide is packing his prize possessions, one turns out to be an LP recording of the West Side Story soundtrack. The performance is enjoyable, with a vigorous reading by conductor Marin Alsop, along with excellent vocalism from a mixture of operatic veterans (Paul Groves as Candide and Thomas Allen as Pangloss) and Broadway luminaries (Patti LuPone as the Old Lady and Kristin Chenoweth as Cunegonde, the latter delivering a show-stopping rendition of the florid “Glitter and Be Gay”). Sterling work from the orchestra, supporting cast, and Westminster Symphonic Choir all add to this fine production that was originally recorded for broadcast on PBS. Presented in DTS-HD stereo, this is recommended. (F. Swietek)