In the best of all possible worlds, Leonard Bernstein is a genius and his musical-operetta “Candide” is a great work. In real life, “Candide” invariably leaves me struggling, just like its protagonist, with my desire to be ­optimistic. Lewek had to withdraw from the WNO production because of pregnancy, and Emily Pogorelc, who replaced her, let some of the role’s traditional cuteness leach back into her interpretation, though she kept the bite to the reading, and brought down the house. Another debutant, Matthew Scollin, lanky and assured, brought firm singing to the role of Martin, the streetsweeper (as well as the Anabaptist James). “Candide” continues at WNO through May 26.

Source: Washington Post May 06, 2018 18:45 UTC