Sydney Philharmonia Choirs - Bernstein's Candide

Choral Singing / Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
Co-presented by Sydney Opera House 

A semi-staged bravura romp in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall

Dates and Venue:
Saturday 29 September 2018, at 8pm
Sunday 30 September 2018, at 1pm
Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House

Book by Hugh Wheeler
Based on the satire by Voltaire
Lyrics by Richard Wilbur, with additional lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, John LaTouche, Dorothy Parker, Lilliam Hellman and Leonard Bernstein
Orchestration by Leonard Bernstein and Hershy Kay
Musical continuity and additional orchestration by John Mauceri

Our gormless hero Candide and his fiancée Cunegonde are raised by the philosophical windbag Professor Pangloss to believe that all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds. Disaster, separation, disease, unpleasant journeys and attempted burning at the stake soon follow, until, thoroughly disillusioned, all the characters reunite at home and resolve to make some sense of life. Think of it as the fun-house mirror version of Handel’s Saul, one where tragedy is played as farce – with a happy ending, of course.

Below, in discussion on Candide's SPC production: Music & Artistic Director Brett Weymark with Director Mitchell Butel.



From its rollicking overture to its string of affectionate parodies of opera, Gilbert and Sullivan, tango and Broadway glitz, Candide is a delight from start to finish – one that might just make you think. While the overture and showpieces like the bravura ‘Glitter and Be Gay’ have become concert-hall fixtures, the complete Candide is rarely mounted.

Dmitri Shostakovich

Classical Music / Composers Datebook: September 25 

 

Brief biography of Russian composer and pianist Dmitri Shostakovich, his life and works. One of the 20^thcentury's greatest symphonists. Famous for Symphony No. 5, considered his finest composition.

Early Years

Dmitry or Dimitri (Dmitriyevich) Shostakovich was born in St. Petersburg on September 25, 1906. His parents were both intellectuals and talented musicians. He initially studied with his mother, a professional pianist. He trained at St. Petersburg Conservatory when he was 10 years old and became an outstanding pianist. Three years later, he studied at the Petrograd Conservatory with Alexander Glazunov. At age 19, his Symphony no.1 was his graduation piece, which brought him early international attention. His creative development was determined more by events at home.

Family

Shostakovich married a scientist, Nina Varzara, and they had two children: Maxim became a conductor and pianist, and Galya (Galina), a biologist. He wrote many pedagogical works for his children who were also his piano students. 

Below: Schostakowitsch: 7. Sinfonie (»Leningrader«) ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ Marin Alsop, Conductor. Youutube, uploaded by Frankfurt Radio Symphony. Accessed September 25, 2018.