SFCM Opera Presents: Candide
Opera
Embrace a sunny outlook and everything will be OK, right? Not so in Leonard Bernstein’s funny, philosophical, and fast-paced take on Voltaire’s biting satire first published in 1759. This cynical but comical outlook on society comes with an overture that has become a hugely popular concert classic. This production is produced and directed by Askonas Holt’s internationally renowned director Frederic Wake-Walker and conducted by SFCM Music Director Edwin Outwater.
Performances of Candide, music composed by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics primarily by the poet Richard Wilbur, take place on Friday, March 14th and Saturday March 15th. See the cast for both performances below:
Frederic Wake-Walker, director
Edwin Outwater, conductor
Candide Cast
*indicates guest artist
Opera and Musical Theatre
Heather Mathews
Curt Pajer
About SFCM’s Opera and Musical Theatre Program
The SFCM Opera and Musical Theatre program draws exceptionally talented young singers from around the world and provides them with advanced training in vocal style, acting, stage movement, and other essentials of stagecraft. Each year, SFCM produces four fully staged opera and musical theatre productions with full or chamber orchestra. Recent fully staged operas have included L’elisir d’amore, Don Giovanni, Mansfield Park, Postcard from Morocco, The Rake’s Progress, Così fan tutte, The Marriage of Figaro, and former faculty composer Conrad Susa’s Transformations. SFCM has hosted workshops for in-development opera projects such as Mason Bates’s The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs and Jake Heggie’s Great Scott.
In addition to fully staged productions, a number of scenes, programs, and other performances with piano accompaniment are presented each year. Opera students also have an opportunity to receive coaching from San Francisco Opera music staff, and to participate in productions tailored for school-age audiences in collaboration with San Francisco Opera’s Education Department.
SFCM’s Musical Theatre Workshop provides ensemble experience to singer/actors with an emphasis on American musical theatre, examining one or more musical theatre composers and their works through rehearsals and performance. Recent performances include such works as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, She Loves Me, Company, Little Women, Urinetown, and The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!).
Visiting artists have included Ryan Taylor (General Director, Minnesota Opera), Roy Rallo (Stage Director, San Francisco Opera), David Maier (Fight Director, San Francisco Opera), Barbara Scott (Improvisation Technique), Matt Chapman (Laban Technique), and Jose Luis Moscovich (General Director, West Bay Opera).
View SFCM'S Event Health and Safety Policy
As of April 1, 2023, face masks will be optional and at personal discretion for all SFCM concerts & events. Vaccinations are not required for visitors and guests to campus buildings and performances. Please visit SFCM's full Event Health & Safety policy to read more about our guidelines.
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