‘Candide’ show is back on

Milan, Italy’s La Scala opera house has lifted its cancellation of a production of “Candide” that included a scene in which actors depicting President Bush and other world leaders danced in their underwear.

Director Robert Carsen said there would be some modifications to the production, which was to open Wednesday night, but that the underwear scene would remain.

He denied that censorship or political pressure played any role in the changes.

“I wouldn’t be here now if there had been any pressure, because that would be against the spirit of freedom in this opera,” Carsen said, according to the news agency ANSA.

La Scala announced in December it was canceling Carsen’s production of Bernstein’s opera because it “was not in line” with the venerable opera house’s artistic program.