Customer Reviews

Voltaire / Bernstein: Candide (1997 Revival)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I wouldn't part with the Original (1957) Broadway cast recording for anything, especially because of Robert Rounseville's Candide and Barbara Cook's stunning Cunegonde. But that's not to say one shouldn't own this 1997 revival recording as well. Fans of the show know there are at least four different incarnations of CANDIDE, including Bernstein's final revision in 1989, and what's wrong with having all of them?

The first revision was the celebrated "Chelsea version" of 1974, with a new book by Hugh Wheeler and some new (and some revised) lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The actor playing Dr. Pangloss also plays Voltaire, the Governor, the Host, and the Sage. A new opening number, "Life Is Happiness Indeed," ". . . comically [establishes] the central characters' innocence and naivete." The parts of Maximillian and Paquette have been expanded, and it is not Cunegonde, but Maximillian (in drag) who sings "My Love" with the lecherous Governor. "Quiet" is out and "Sheep's Song" is in. Also deleted are "Words, Words, Words," "Money, Money, Money," "We Are Women," and "Nothing More Than This." (For a more complete version, check out the Scottish Opera version, the 1999 Royal National Cast version, or Bernstein's "final revised edition" of 1989.)

In this 1997 revival, The Old Lady (a wonderful characterization by Andrea Martin) cleverly insinuates herself into the plot, early in act one, informing Pangloss (and the audience) of her central role in the proceedings. It also includes considerable narration, by the author Voltaire, to move the plot along.

What about the singers? Jim Dale is truly fine in his multiple roles and Jason Danieley sings the socks off Candide's songs. Very exciting performance. Harolyn Blackwell has a gorgeous voice (see Byron Kolln's review), but her tone quality is a little heavy for my taste, making her Cunegonde sound more worldly than Barbara Cook's. Even though she's been repeatedly raped and has become the mistress to both the Grand Inquisitor and The Rich Jew, Cook's Cunegonde remains a virgin to the very end. Stacey Logan is a perky Paquette, and Brent Barrett is a wonderfully-vain Maximilian.

[...]

If you're a CANDIDE junkie, then you need to own this recording, as well as the "original" original cast. I also own the Musical Heritage Society's highlights from the 1988 Scottish Opera, which I find lifeless and dull. It was recorded during rehearals for the production, which makes me believe it is NOT to be compared to the "complete" recording (That's Entertainment) that John Kendrick admires.

But as I said before: Can one have too many versions of Bernstein's Broadway masterpiece? I think not.

I liked this CD. It was really nice to hear the full score for the first time. The performances are wonderful, especially Andrea Martin who's delightful to watch onstage (I saw her in Oklahoma!). But my complaint lies in the lyrics. I dislike the new lyrics for The Best of All Possible Worlds, a song I find essential to the show and the new lyrics I feel don't mesh as well with the show.

Barbara Cook and Robert Rounseville are much better on the original recording, which is now re-released and is phenomenal, finally the best Candide Recording. Buy the original, it's cheaper and better. If not for any other reason than for "Glitter and be Gay" which got a 2 minute standing ovation on opening night, December 1, 1956. That night, the Overture, lauded as one of the best ever, also received a 2 minute standing ovation.

The book to Candide may have it's major flaws (and it does), but you can't say anytihng about the score. It's one of Bernstein's best, and definitely one of the best in Musical Theatre History.

This recording tells the story of Candide and Cunegonde's voyage very well. The story is clearer than in the other recordings. The cuts are very direct and to the point.

They use Dr. Pangloss very well to tie the bits together

The additional material added for Andrea Martin is funny. I ALWAYS though the Old Lady should be included in the introduction anyway for consitancy's sake.

This recording features a very theatrical (as opposed to musical) recording of "Glitter and be Gay." Though this Cunegonde can hold her own musically.

Too bad that no one has seen fit to release the 2-LP recording (on Columbia?) of the 1970's Broadway revival of "Candide" on compact disc. Superior in every way to the 1997 recording and far more complete to the extent that one can very nearly follow the entire production audially without the help of any liner notes. Great theater! Great recording!

CANDIDE is Leonard Bernstein's masterpiece. Based on the play by Voltaire, the operetta-flavored score is simply delicious, full of great pieces including the showstopping aria "Glitter and Be Gay".

The 1997 Broadway revival succeded in introducing a whole new generation to the musical. It featured a cast including Jim Dale (BARNUM) as Dr Pangloss, Andrea Martin (GYPSY) as the Old Lady with One Buttock, Jason Danieley as Candide, Stacey Logan (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) as Paquette and Harolyn Blackwell as Cunegonde.

Harolyn Blackwell indeed has a thrilling soprano voice, and sings the devilish 'jewel song' aria "Glitter and Be Gay" with confidence and panache, but I feel she over-plays the comedy and makes the song less stylish. Barbara Cook (on the original Broadway cast album) is still considered to be the definitive Cunegonde.

Andrea Martin spins gold with "I Am Easily-Assimilated", and Jim Dale is humorous and caustic in his performance. Jason Danieley has a lovely voice which he puts to good use in his choice numbers as Candide.

All-in-all, a worthy recording but if you want the definitive Cunegonde of Barbara Cook, stick to the original Broadway cast album.

Out of sheer masochism I keep up with each new revision of Candide in hopes that its crippled libretto will one day be made whole. This 1997 Broadway revival manaages to be such a mish mash of styles that it's not in the running to be considered even a halfhearted success. The Candide is sung by a punchy, lightweight Broadway tenor out of "42nd Street," the Cunegonde is flat out operatic, without the slightest hint of a smile (she's an atrocious mismatch with Candide), and Pangloss is the usual creaky character actor with scant singing voice.

There's no need to continue about the rewrites and reorchestrations, none of them sactioned by the composer. Look elswhere for a Candide that's truer to the spirit of the original, beginning with the classic cast album on Sony with Barbara Cook at ehr best and the rousing Robert Rounseville in the title role.

It simply tries too hard to be hip and smart and funny, and as a result it's none of them. Musically, it manages to make the score sound flat and almost dull.

Avoid this one. There are far better ones available. This one simply misses the mark.

I must agree with the person who longs for the 70's version. This version is very good with it's full orcestera-the first time since the '50's-and the singing is also very good. Andrea Martin is wonderful as the old lady with one buttock. I have been looking for the 70's recording since CD's came into being-it is very much the whole story and has always been one of my favorite recordings to listen to. The singing is not as operactic as other recordings but it is full of fun and just as charming and biting as it can be. On a whole Voltaire would be proud of all of these productions but especially the 70's version! It is the ideas not the music that is important after all!

I performed this operetta at school last year and I bought this CD. It is a fantastic rendition of the work and has a real operatic feel. It's not the kristen Chenoweth version and that's why I got it, I wanted the opera sound. Great CD, has every song, wonderful singers.

Though Harolyn Blackwell has a gorgeos soprano voice, her "Glitter" falls short for me as do "Garden" and "Happy We", and her dialogue seems overdone and very cheesey, as does most of the the dialogue on this recording. Jim Dale is good as Pangloss/Narrator. Andrea Martin, as the Old Lady sports a hilarious accent (as usual) she lack energy in her big number (I am easily assimilated).