in 1759 One of the most famous works of the 18th century appeared in France. thinker, satirist and philosopher Voltaire's short story Candide, or Optimism. Printed in secret, it was immediately banned for its political satire, religious blasphemy, and social criticism. But this ridiculously sad, ironic philosophical short story only grew in popularity. And in 1956 became the basis for the operetta Candide by Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), according to The New York Times, "one of the most brilliant, talented, and highly regarded musicians in American history." The premiere took place at the Broadway theater in New York, the performance, which does not lose either the satirical relevance of the topic or the charm of the music, is staged in many theaters around the world. in 2012 this operetta was played for the first time in Lithuania, LNOBT.

The current production was prepared by the French director Vincent Boussard, known to the audience from the elegant productions of Manon and Capulets and Montecchi, with the same creative team and music director Sesto Quatrini.


This work is licensed to Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Limited
Music by Leonard Bernstein, book by Hugh Wheeler based on Voltaire, lyrics by Richard Wilbur, additional lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, John La Touche, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker and Leonard Bernstein. Orchestration by Leonard Bernstein and Hershy Kay; connecting episodes and additional orchestration by John Mauceri, narrator of the concert version, text by Leonard Bernstein and John Wells, adapted from Voltaire's satire and book by Hugh Wheeler; editing and additions by Erik Haagensen