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Political satire often doesn’t age
well. Occasionally, however, we find enough art and universal
truth to help it survive the passing of time. Voltaire’s Candide is
such a book, and is considered Voltaire’s signature
work. When Voltaire came of age as a writer, the French aristocracy
ruled with an iron fist. At the same time, however, the intellectual
movement known as the Enlightenment was spreading ideas about
the equality and basic rights of man and the importance of
reason and scientific objectivity. While Candide is
without a doubt a farcical, humorous, and far-fetched tale,
seriousness lies beneath its satirical veneer. Throughout
his journey, the innocent, young Candide believes in and
adheres to the philosophy of his teacher, Pangloss, that “all
is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.” Candide is
Voltaire’s scathing response to what he saw as an absurd
belief by followers of the school of optimism that contends
that rational thought can curtail the evils perpetrated by
human beings. He saw this as an easy way to rationalize evil
and suffering.
In Bernstein’s operetta Candide, many
of the best moments in Lillian Hellman’s adaptation
of Voltaire’s play are not even hinted at in
the original. Voltaire's skepticism is subverted by Bernstein's
incurable optimism and hope for a better world. This
is truly a glorious and unique American work – the
perfect way to celebrate our 50th anniversary!
Jesse Helllman, Photographer |
