Candide is a Broadway Operetta composed by Leonard Bernstein with the narrative adapted from the novella by Voltaire. The work questions “How do we live?” as it follows the titular hero on an adventure through some of the worst humanity has to offer. This new production was presented by Victorian Opera at the Palais theatre in Melbourne and made by an entirely Australian creative team. The visual world of the work was as a mixture of found/recycled materials shaped around a baroque aesthetic. The lighting of the project worked to enhance these dualities in the visual style working closely with the other members of the creative team using neo-classical theatre lighting techniques but utilising contemporary theatre lighting technology. The lighting deliberately emphasised the “lived in” atmosphere and historicity of the Palais Theatre and incorporating both the venue and Orchestra Victoria, playing onstage behind the performers, as scenic elements of the work.
NTRO Output Category
- Original Creative Work : Design / architectural Work
Place
Melbourne, AustraliaVenue
Palais TheatreNTRO Publisher
Victorian OperaStart Date
2024-02-08End Date
2024-02-10Medium
Lighting design for live perfomanceResearch Statement
Candide is a Broadway Operetta composed by Leonard Bernstein with the narrative adapted from the novella by Voltaire. The work questions “How do we live?” as it follows the titular hero on an adventure through some of the worst humanity has to offer. This new production was presented by Victorian Opera at the Palais theatre in Melbourne and made by an entirely Australian creative team.
The visual world of the work was as a mixture of found/recycled materials shaped around a baroque aesthetic. The lighting of the project worked to enhance these dualities in the visual style working closely with the other members of the creative team using neo-classical theatre lighting techniques but utilising contemporary theatre lighting technology. The lighting deliberately emphasised the “lived in” atmosphere and historicity of the Palais Theatre and incorporating bot the venue and Orchestra Victoria, playing onstage behind the performers, as scenic elements of the work.
The excellence of this work is evidenced by:
• It was produced by Victoria’s state Opera company Victorian Opera.
• It was performed across three nights to an audience of approximately 3000 people.
• Was critically well reviewed and has received numerous Green Room Award nominations including for Best Design for an Opera (Set and Lighting).
• The production was picked up as a part of Opera Australia’s 2025 Sydney summer season at the Sydney Opera House where it was viewed by an even wider audience in one of Australia’s premier arts venues.Size or Duration of Work
2hours 25min; 3 PerformancesAffiliation
Matt Scott, University of Melbourne
