“Glitter and Be Gay” Star Barbara Cook Debuts new Legends of Broadway Candide Video
Leonard Bernstein’s comic operatta based on Voltaire’s satirical novel, Candide, enabled Barbara Cook in her first major role on Broadway, to give a luminous performance as Cunegonde, highlighted with her splendid aria, “Glitter and Be Gay.”
It may come as a shock, but the original presentation of Candide failed to inspire theatergoers when it was first presented on December 1, 1956 lasting only 73 performances. However, nothing could damage the vivacious score which wonderfully captured the moods of the novella itself, and stands today as one of Bernstein’s most exhilarating achievements. The show also enabled Tony Award winning singer and actress Barbara Cook, in her first major role on Broadway, to give a luminous performance as Cunegonde, highlighted with her splendid aria, “Glitter and Be Gay.”
In the clip below, she explains how she rehearsed and was able to master singing “Glitter and Gay.” Watch below!
