Barbican Hall, Sunday 9 December 2018

In this anniversary year for Leonard Bernstein I was really waiting for Candide. Often dismissed in its early years as almost impossibly rambling it is now recognised as one of his most important works and last night was given the most consummate staging I can recall.

At the helm was Marin Alsop, and we were tactfully reminded, through the overhead screens at the end, that she had worked with Bernstein. If she does not take the work quite as rapidly as he did she nevertheless brings a zip and enthusiasm which carries the narrative forward without any loss of musical finesse.

Tiny moments – the pique of the piccolo in the overture, the romantic string melodies and bite of the chorus – all added up to an evening that did not drop for a second. Added to this, a cast which could surely not be bettered. Jane Archibald’s Cunegonde had the cynicism of the rich coupled with a magnificent coloratura enabling her to throw off Glitter and be gay as if it were a walk in the park. Leonardo Capalbo’s Candide moved from a lighter, almost naïve, tone at the start to a weighty helden-tenor in the final scenes.

Thomas Allen’s Pangloss combined humour with a gently firm characterisation but possibly the surprise of the evening was Anne Sofie von Otter’s remarkably mobile Old Lady – both physically and vocally. Of the impressive line-up of singers for the numerous smaller parts tenor Thomas Atkins was notable for his virile and very pleasing tone, as well as his warm characterisation.

The LSO played with wonderful energy for Marin Alsop, and the LSO chorus provided us with a weight of sound unheard in the theatre. I can’t recall Bernstein’s chorus items as well sung before, and their involvement in the evening – storm movements, Hawaiian shirts and numerous sound effects – added hugely to the overall impact. Garnett Bruce’s semi-staging was just that, intelligent movement for the soloists, a minimal setting which stood in for ship, coach, stately home, and a close relationship between orchestra, chorus and singers.

I would hope to encounter Candide again with forces as good as this, but I don’t expect to hear better.