Dailes teātris is staging Leonard Bernstein’s musical “Candide” as one of its most ambitious large-scale productions for the new season, featuring a full professional orchestra to tackle the complex score, according to the theater’s management and creative team.
The Ambition and Challenge of “Candide”
Bringing Leonard Bernstein’s work to the stage requires substantial musical resources. According to the theater, “Candide” stands out as a primary seasonal challenge due to its requirement for a full professional orchestra. Director Mārtiņš Meiers points out the unusual collision of a philosophically treated narrative paired with a musical format. Meiers notes that this combination works brilliantly, offering an acidic and sharp look at contemporary life. He adds that the production reflects an era of false optimism experienced by his generation regarding the certainty of a better life.
Did you know? Dailes teātris is producing four major large-form shows and three small-form productions in its upcoming lineup, backed by several international co-producers.
Musical Focus Across Large-Form Productions
Music anchors all major new productions on the theater’s main stage this season. Alongside the Bernstein musical, the repertoire features works inspired by Michael Frayn, Sam Shepard, Lars von Trier, and Viesturs Kairišs’s staging of “Stereophonic.” Artistic Director Viesturs Kairišs explains that the season focuses less on global, conceptual statements and more on human relationships. Kairišs states that the works examine the unsparing nature of art and what theatrical creation demands of the artists themselves.
Theater Director Juris Žagars highlights the production of “Sherlock Holmes” as another major test, noting that the challenge lies in avoiding cliches and outdated tropes while testing the audience’s capacity for dark humor.
International Collaborations and the “Dailennāle”
Dailes teātris continues its ongoing strategy of partnering with international creators alongside local directors. Žagars notes that the theater caters to a demanding public well-versed in the theatrical arts.
This cross-border focus coincides with the ongoing “Dailennāle,” a guest performance showcase featuring companies from the Baltic Sea region and broader Europe. The festival runs through the end of October, reinforcing the theater’s outward-looking programming model.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most ambitious musical production at Dailes teātris this season?
Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” serves as one of the major highlights, featuring a full professional orchestra and a darkly comedic philosophical approach directed by Mārtiņš Meiers.
How many large-scale productions are planned for the new season?
The theater has scheduled four large-form productions, three small-form stagings, and multiple international co-projects.
What international showcase is currently taking place at the theater?
The theater is hosting the first “Dailennāle,” a regional and European guest performance showcase concluding at the end of October.
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