Wanting to see Valcour’s reaction, Léontine claims she does not want to hurt her secret admirer’s feelings (aria: “Son amour, sa constance extreme” - “His love, his extreme constancy”), and that she doesn’t want to lead him on either. Dorothée thinks that it would do no harm for Léontine to accept the flowers. The Anonymous Lover has sent Léontine a bouquet of flowers along with a letter asking her to carry it at a wedding later that day if she doesn’t, he will take it as a sign that he should stop sending gifts and leave her alone. Léontine, trying to conceal her new knowledge that Valcour loves her, asks him to settle a dispute she is having with her friend Dorothée. Léontine accidentally overhears this conversation and learns that she is madly loved by Valcour. He tells Ophémon that he has lost all hope of winning her affections, while Ophémon responds that it is time for Valcour to reveal his secret (duet: “Tant de constance, tant d’amour” - “Such constancy, such love”). He has done so anonymously Léontine was left feeling betrayed after her late husband’s death and Valcour is certain that she has no interest now in pursuing romance with anyone. With the help of his trusted accomplice Ophémon (who himself has secretly enrolled the help of his dear friend Dorothée), Valcour has been showering Léontine with a stream of gifts, flowers and love letters. Valcour has been hopelessly in love with Léontine, a beautiful young widow, for years (aria: “Depuis longtemps” - “For a long time”). ActI: Léontine’s Villa: Outdoor terrasse at sunrise.

La opera candide