The Los Angeles Opera is bringing Bernstein’s marvelously satirical stage work Candide (1956) back to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion! The fabulous cast includes Duke Kim as Candide, Meghan Picerno as Cunegonde, the indefatigable Patti Lupone as the Old Lady, and actor Scott Bakula—flashbacks to Quantum Leap!— in the dual speaking role of Voltaire and Dr. Pangloss.

For my pre-performance presentation, I will explore the work’s prolonged metamorphosis (spanning over 30 years between its first and final versions), its dazzling mix of musical styles, and its use of satire to make social and philosophical arguments—taking its cue from Voltaire’s original 1759 novella.

Pre-performance talks take place in the Eva & Marc Stern Grand Hall on the second floor of Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and are free to all ticketholders.