Candide (or Optimism)

By Kay Kempin, 07 June 2011

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Reviewed at Barbican Hall, London on 5 June 2011

Bernstein, Candide

London Symphony Orchestra

Kristjan Järvi, Conductor

Andrew Staples, Candide

Kiera Duffy, Cunegonde

Jeremy Huw Williams, Doctor Pangloss

Marcus DeLoach, Maximilian

Kristy Swift, Paquette

Kim Criswell, Old Lady

Rory Kinnear, Narrator

A dream of a Gerontius from Pappano, the LSO and Chorus

Roy Westbrook, 21st April

Giving their 27th performance of the oratorio, the London Symphony Chorus excel as angelic angels and demonic demons.

****1

Pappano and the LSO: a thrilling collision between heaven and hell

Charlotte Gardner, 16th April

Vilde Frang joins Sir Antonio Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican for transcendent Korngold alongside darker fare.

****1

Han Kang’s The White Book takes on a compelling new life

Peter Quantrill, 5th March

At the Barbican, Laura Bowler's new work for Barbara Hannigan translates Han Kang's novel into a soundscape of icy stillness

****1

A curious evening from Noseda, Kopatchinskaja and the LSO

Mark Valencia, 26th February

Good, bad, but never ugly, a curious evening unfolds at the Barbican, inspired at times, ill-judged in places.

***11

Borodin steps into the symphonic limelight: Noseda and the LSO

Mark Pullinger, 15th February

Seong-Jin Cho continues his Artist Portrait series with the LSO by performing Chopin's poetic Second Piano Concerto.

****1

Rattle and the LSO sell a travel package to Hungary and Spain

Roy Westbrook, 18th January

Opening her LSO Artist Portrait series, Patricia Kopatchinskaja plays Béla Bartók’s Second Violin Concerto before Rattle and the LSO whisk the audience to Falla’s Andalusia.

****1

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Kay Kempin

Flying the flag for all things classical, jazz and a bit experimental, Kay is an amateur pianist and musical scribbler. Kay has her Masters in Culture, Policy and Management from City University, London, and currently works as a fundraiser for the performing arts in New York City.