Candide
The cast is large: the narrator introduces Candide and his erratic love, Cunegonde, the arrogant young baron Maximillian, Dr Pangloss, Paquette the maid, the vivacious old lady… and a raft of characters emerge: kings, Grand Inquisitors, cardinals, croupiers, tsars, crooks and sultans.
When Leonard Bernstein and his group of sparky librettists chose Voltair´s revolutionary Age of Enlightenment novella to create an operetta they took on a major challenge. The story – about an innocent youth who weathers a series of spectacular misfortunes, but emerges resolutely optimistic – races around the world embracing earthquakes, murders, furious fires and all manner of disasters. But Bernstein was undaunted, producing a fabulous score which reflects all the bitter-sweet joy, sarcasm, wit and wonder of the text.
Read the synopsis for Bernstein's Candide here
We´re thrilled to have distinguished actor Kevin Whately as our narrator, brilliant young tenor Anthony Gregory as Candide, and award-winning young South African soprano Vuvu Mpofu as Cunegonde, and great Norwegian mezzo Randi Stene as the Old Lady. Candide is directed by rising star Thom Southerland.
Performed in English, the songs have Norwegian surtitles
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Edvard Grieg Kor
Bergen Philharmonic Choir
Semi-staged concert
Candide is usually presented as a semi-staged concert. This means that the singers and actors are wearing costume elements and there is a limited number of props. The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra is on stage during semi-staged concerts in and in the pit during fully staged operas.
New production by Bergen National Opera
Presented by Bergen National Opera and Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Tap your toes to the infectious rhythms, gasp at Glitter and be Gay´s virtuosity, enjoy the whirlwind musical ride.
Hear our Cunegonde, award-winning young South African soprano Vuvu Mpofu, sing E Strano Sempre Libera, from La Traviata by Verdi:
Pictures from the first costume fitting:
Related news
![Candide 6 5 Dice 600Pxweb](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/bnobucket/images/Program/2018/Candide/_840xAUTO_crop_top-center_100_none/Candide_6_5_dice_600pxweb.jpg)
Top reviews for Candide
"Magic", "A triumph", "Fireworks" - The press loved the new production of Candide at Bergen National Opera
Contributors
![Thom Southerland Square Nett](/imager/images/People/Candide/2568/thom-southerland-square_nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Thom Southerland
Director
![Karen Kamensek Square](/imager/images/People/Candide/2556/KarenKamensek-square_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Karen Kamensek
Conductor
![Håkon Matti Skrede](/imager/images/People/Papirpose-Prinsesser/1805/HM_Skrede_nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Håkon Matti Skrede
Choirmaster
![Jonathan Lipman Nett](/imager/images/People/Candide/3184/Jonathan_Lipman_Nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Jonathan Lipman
Costumes
![Matt Clutterham](/imager/images/People/Candide/3176/Matt-Clutterham_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Matt Clutterham
Lighting Designer
![Kevin Whately Square Nett](/imager/images/People/Candide/2558/Kevin-Whately-Square_Nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Kevin Whately
Narrator
![Anthony Gregory Square Nett](/imager/images/People/Candide/2546/Anthony-Gregory_square_Nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Anthony Gregory
Candide
![Vuvu Mpofu](/imager/images/People/Candide/2564/Noluvuyiso-Mpofu_Square_Nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Vuvu Mpofu
Cunegonde
![Gidon Saks Square](/imager/images/People/Candide/2554/Gidon-Saks-square_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Gidon Saks
Dr. Pangloss / Martin
![Kitty Whately Square Nett](/imager/images/People/Candide/2560/KittyWhately_Square_Nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Kitty Whately
Paquette
![Marcus Farnsworth](/imager/images/People/Peter-Grimes/1063/Marcus-Farnsworth_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Marcus Farnsworth
Maximillian / Captain
![Randi Stene Square Nett](/imager/images/People/Candide/2566/randi_stene_square_Nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Randi Stene
The Old Lady
![David Curry Square Nett](/imager/images/People/Candide/2550/David_Curry_square_Nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
David Curry
Governor / Vanderdendur / Ragotski
![Tom Smith Editedbacktround](/imager/images/Program/2018/Candide/3234/Tom_Smith_editedbacktround_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Tom Smith
Cosmetic Merchant / 1. Inquisitor / Charles Edward / 1. Señor
![Erlend Tvinnereim Square Nett](/imager/images/People/Candide/2552/Erlend-Tvinnereim_Square_Nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Erlend Tvinnereim
Alchemist/ Sultan Achmet / Crook / 2. Señor
![Anton Ljungqvist Square Nett](/imager/images/People/Candide/2548/Anton-Ljungqvist_square_Nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Anton Ljungqvist
Doctor / 2. Inquisitor / King Stanislaus / Croupier
![David Hansford](/imager/images/People/Otello/2143/David_Hansford_sorthvitt_nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
David Hansford
Bear-Keeper / 3. Inquisitor / Tsar Ivan
![Alex Baker Square Nett](/imager/images/People/Candide/2544/alex-baker_square_Nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Alexander Robin Baker
Junkman / King Hermann Augustus
![Harmonien Square Nett](/imager/images/People/Andre/5511/Harmonien-square-nett_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
Orchestra
![Edvard Grieg Kor square bw web](/imager/images/72469/Edvard-Grieg-Kor-square-bw-web_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Edvard Grieg Kor
Chorus
![Bergen Filharmoniske Kor Sq](/imager/images/People/Andre/5295/Bergen-Filharmoniske-Kor-sq_b52aeff1da97c6da6d7956e791a586c1.jpg)
Bergen Filharmoniske Kor
Chorus
Selected dates
Grieghallen Play ended Play ended
Greighallen Play ended Play ended