Opera in the Ozarks presents Leonard Bernstein’s Candide

Description

Opera in the Ozarks presents Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, a dazzling satirical operetta based on Voltaire’s classic novella. Filled with wit, adventure, and Bernstein’s brilliant score, Candide follows its innocent hero on a globe-trotting journey through war, disaster, shipwreck, slavery, heartbreak, and absurdly comic misfortune.

Guided at first by his tutor Dr. Pangloss’s belief that they live in “the best of all possible worlds,” Candide searches for his beloved Cunegonde while confronting the cruelty and chaos of the world around him. Along the way, his optimism is tested again and again, leading him toward a deeper understanding of life, love, and resilience.

Both hilarious and thought-provoking, Candide blends sparkling music with sharp social satire, ultimately arriving at its famous message: “we must cultivate our garden.” Presented by Opera in the Ozarks, one of the nation’s premier opera training programs, this fully staged production showcases the extraordinary talents of emerging artists from across the country. Performed in the organization’s beautiful theater at Inspiration Point near Eureka Springs, Candide offers audiences an unforgettable evening of adventure, humor, and spectacular music. Whether you are a longtime opera lover or experiencing operetta for the first time, this timeless classic promises a captivating journey filled with laughter, insight, and world-class performance in the heart of the Ozarks.