The Stetson University School of Music Opera Theatre will present Leonard Bernstein’s Tony Award-Winning opera, Candide,  on Friday and Sunday, Feb. 21 and 23. Directed by Russell Franks, with orchestra conducted by Anthony Hose, Candide  will be performed in the DeLand High School Auditorium, 800 N. Hill Ave., at 7:30 p.m., Friday evening, and a 3 p.m. matinee Sunday afternoon. 

The opera Candide  is based on the novel by the same name, written by Voltaire in 1759. The opera begins in a baron’s castle in Westphalia and introduces the notion that all is for the best in “The Best of All Possible Worlds.” The characters, however, are carried through a series of events that can only be described as bad luck, proving that the philosophy may, in fact, not be for the best.

Candide provides the audience with a cast of lively characters, a slew of comedic situations, and a number of beautifully written songs.

The university cast of over-the-top characters will be played by the members of the School of Music Opera Theatre. Recently, this company of Stetson students performed alongside the Vero Beach Opera in a production of Pietro Mascagni’s Cavallenia Rusticana. The show, pictured right, was conducted by Anton Coppola, with scenic design and stage direction by Stetson’s Russell Franks. It featured Metropolitan Opera star Raul Melo in the role of Turiddu.

Admission for each performance is $20 for general admission; $15 for seniors; $10 for Concert Series Card Holders, and $10 for all students. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance online through ticketreturn.com.

For more information please call Stetson’s School of Music Concert Line at (386) 822-8947, or the School of Music at (386) 822-8950. Visit www2.stetson.edu/music to see the full concert schedule for 2013-14. Check out www2.stetson.edu/cultural-calendar for all university music, theatre, art and lecture schedules.

by Allison Cooper