Your first lesson should always be the Mandatory Lesson or a review of that lesson. If you have time for only one other lesson, please make that a review of the synopsis (or plot line) of the play. Man of La Mancha is singing theatre. For the history of this art form, go to this link. Many potential lessons are available from this play. If you have time for more than one lesson, or if your students already understand the rules of live theatre, please feel free to choose additional lessons. They are divided roughly by general subject matter, e. g. language arts, social studies, et cetera. This is just a brief list of suggestions.

Links to the California Standards for further suggestions: Language Arts, History and Social Science, Theatre, Music, Dance

Language Arts
Have your students write a review of the play (after the performance.) Be sure they understand that they must justify their opinion. Give this assignment before they attend so they will be looking for evidence.

If your students are having trouble using quotation marks correctly, use the script to help them understand who is talking when. Introduce the concept of a script. Then have them write a mini-play using the script format. Follow up by having them write additional dialog outside of the script format to ensure they understand the use of quotation marks.

Candide is a satire. Have your students explain why it is a satire. Use the synopsis to help them understand that it is on the politics and religious practices of the time.

Much of Bernstein'sl Candide has many musical numbers. Depending on your class's level of experience/expertise, have them write a verse to replace one of the those in the play. Be sure they understand that it must “fit” the place where it is to be used.

Critique
Have your students write a column of criticism of Candide. Be sure they support their opinion with data from the performance. Be sure to make this assignment before they attend so they can be thinking about it as they watch the performance. Choices could include the music as performed by the orchestra, the music as performed by the vocalists (either collectively or individually), the sets, the staging and the directing. Have your students read several newspaper columns before they attend the performance so they can be familiar with the professional’s manner of critiquing.

Rewrite/revise
Have your students’ revise or rewrite a portion of the musical that they either did not like or that they felt would be stronger/funnier/better if written differently. Have the remainder of the class offer opinions on whether they think the revision is an improvement.

Character Study
Compare the hero, Candide, to a leading character in a story you have studied in class. Tell how he is the same as that character AND how he is different. Which character is more interesting? Why? Be sure to cite examples to support your opinion. Compare Cunegonde in the same way.

Candide is originally a short, satirical novel by Voltaire. (The complete text can be found at http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/19942) It may have been inspired by Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels. After reading both novels, compare and contrast the two. You may look at writing styles, use of satire, adventures and travels, characters or other theme as approved by the instructor. Be sure to include examples for both works to support your views.

Voltaire was baptized as François Marie Arounet. He became know as Voltaire much later. Research some of the many other people who changed their names in later life. Look especially for ones with single names and compare and contrast the reasons for people to change their names. Some names also have definitions. Be sure to consider this as you look at reasons. When you have completed this and written your findings, you may also write about your own name. What is its derivation? Do you like it? Given a choice, would you change it and, if so, what name would you choose? Be sure to support this with the evidence.

Quarterings are a part of heraldry. Cunegonde cannot marry anyone without quarterings. What would be necessary for Candide to have that kind of social status? Compare that to modern America. What kind of social status symbols are present in our society? Prepare a “shield” for a modern person with at least eight sections and define the “quarters” symbols.

Both Candide and Voltaire experienced many adventures. Compare and contrast these and decide if this novel is really autobiographical. It may be wholly, partially or not at all. Be sure to support your opinion with evidence.

Social Studies and Language Arts
Compare and contrast the forms of government at the time of Voltaire's Candide. Look at the timeline to determine which form of government and which two or more countries you plan to compare. One example might be the absolute monarchy of Louis XV of France and the Enlightened Absolutism of Fredrick the Great of Prussia. You should include the form of government, the religion and philosophy prevalent in the nation at the time. In addition, you should offer an opinion as to the affect this may have had on Voltaire. Be sure to support your opinion with evidence.

Compare and contrast what was going on in Europe and the United States at the time of this story. (Timeline) Use the dates of the reigns of Louis XV of France and Fredrick the Great of Prussia as reference points. What famous figures in American history share the same time as these kings? Who had the greater affect on the world? On America?

Candide is Voltaire's satirical attack on the theory that God is good and created the best of all possible worlds. Decide if you agree or disagree with this theory. Be sure to look at the others who were either defenders of or opponents of this theory, especially Gottfried Von Leibnitz and Alexander Pope. Present a cogent argument for your position. Be sure to present evidence for your opinion, citing one or more of these sources (or others equally recognized) in support of your argument. You must defeat the opposing argument as well as supporting yours.

Societies have dealt with minorities in many different ways. Voltaire was concerned with the burial regulations of his country. Investigate the issue of being an “infidel” and the incident of Andrienne Lacouvreur. Determine how this issue is reflected in Candide. Is this a direct cause and effect? Support your position with evidence.

Character Study in Social Studies
The character of The King of the Bulgars has many nuances in this play. Have students write a compare and contrast piece looking at the real role of a king and the fictional role. This play also includes a Baron and Baroness. Have your students examine the peerage titles and investigate what “perks” normally go with those titles. (Look at the royals, especially.) Why could such a system lead to abuses? Is the class system alive today? In Britain? In the U.S.? In other countries of the world? Name some countries and compare and contrast the formal and informal class systems that exist today.

Author Study
Your students should understand that singing theater is a collaboration between a composer (who writes the music) and a librettist(s) (who writes the words). The librettists are Richard Wilbur, John La Touche, Lillian Hellman, Hugh Wheeler and Dorothy Parker. Your students may be familiar with one or more of them. Have your students research the backgrounds of these people and see if they have clues to the writing of this play/musical. They are a diverse group and you may alter the assignment to suit your class.The composer is Leonard Bernstein. Have your students research his background and prepare a biography that would help to understand why he spent a great deal of time and energy on this play. Have them provide evidence of his “credentials” to undertake such a massive work and bring it to success.

Science
Investigate the history of syphilis in the New World. Then look at the diseases that the Europeans brought to the Native Americans. Were they equally destructive? Look for evidence that these diseases were purposely spread. Is there any evidence to support that idea? Is there any evidence that the Native Peoples spread syphilis purposely? What was the rational for using disease as a weapon? Is that same argument used today? Is it a valid argument? Support your opinion with evidence.

Music
Have your students write new lyrics for one of the songs in the play. The song Ballad of Eldorado could be rewritten for another place. Be sure the students choose a place that they are familiar with and utilize details from that place. Have the other students see if they can identify the new location. We Are Women should also be a song that students could rewrite. Be sure they notice that it is a duet. They should maintain that format.

Art
Hold a discussion about the staging, including the scenery and costumes. Have your students choose a scene or a character that they would like to "dress." Have them present their work to the class, explaining why they chose that scene or character, what they did differently and why. Have the class comment on how the changes affect the play.

Have your students create a playbill to advertise this play. Decide in advance if they should use the performance you are to attend (or have attended) or if they should create one from the time of Voltaire, a possible date in the distant future, or other options. Another option would be to create a handbill.

Write a review of the costumes. Include such things are your opinion of their authenticity, their effectiveness, and how they help or hinder the success of the play.

Draw a new set of costumes for this play. Be sure to write a justification for the changes you make. Be sure to think of the constraints such as budget and ease of use by the performers. Also, costumes must be reused by different people at other venues (rentals).

Set Design
Design a new series of sets for this play keeping in mind the many and variety of locations in which the action takes place. Be sure to write a justification for your design. Remember, things such as budget and size of stage area affect what sets are used. Also, all sets must be portable as many companies rent sets and all companies must store their sets for reuse.

Careers
There are many people other than performers involved in this kind of production. There are two links to help you here. The first link Creating an Opera will tell your students about creating the performance itself. A number of people are involved in this process. The second link to Unsung Heroes will provide you with the people who are rarely, if ever, seen. Have your students look at this list and determine an area that interests them. Have them research the opportunities in that area and write a report on it.

Return to Candide Home Page

Revised September 2008
Please credit Lyric Opera San Diego when using this material.