AUDIO: Listen to Glimmerglass Festival's CANDIDE on WQXR's SATURDAY AT THE OPERA

Over the summer, the Glimmerglass Festival presented Bernstein's take on Candide. As philosophical as it is satirical, the productiontransports Voltaire's novella and its Enlightenment-era ideas to the stage, and features classic tunes such as "The Best of All Possible Worlds," "Glitter and Be Gay" and "Make our Garden Grow."

WQXR just featured the show as a part of its Saturday at the Opera series, and you can check out audio of the broadcast below!

Director Francesca Zambello's new period production examines wars waged between nations and classes. Zambello joins forces with conductor Joseph Colaneri in this co-production with Opéra National de Bordeaux and Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse.

Candide features former Young Artist Andrew Stenson in the title role. Stenson made his Glimmerglass debut inThe Tender Land and has since appeared in Carmen and Later the Same Evening. The role of Cunégonde is performed by Kathryn Lewek, who made her Metropolitan Opera debut last season as Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute. Marietta Simpson sings the role of The Old Lady. Simpson's expressive voice has led her to performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, as well as roles such as Queenie in Houston Grand Opera'sShow Boat.

Photo CRedit: Karli Cade