jmc's classics
Today is the 100th anniversary of the Birth of Leonard Benrnstein one of the most iconic conductors and composers in American history.
One of his most famous works is West Side Story which would be a modern version of Romeo and Juliet. it is based on a book by Arthur Laurents. It is set in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan in the 1950s. It involves two rival gangs one white and the other Puerto Rican. It will take too long to go over the synopsis. I have not seen it in its entirety but I have heard songs from it. There was a film based on it in 1961 which won the Academy Award for Best Picture It stared Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn. I have not seen this movie as of now. In my opinion this is Bernstein's greatest achievement in his role as a composer. He wrote several symphonies and other musicals. The other famous work which he is remembered for is the overture to Candide. Which is another musical which he wrote. I am not as familiar with this work. it is featured on the local program Donnybrook which is aired on the local Public Television station on Thursday nights. West Side story takes place in New York City where Bernstein spent most of his adult life. He did not conduct opera but he wrote other musicals and operas. I am not in to Shakespeare. I did like the Movie Shakespeare in Love staring Gweneth Paltrow. It also won the Academy Award for Best Picture. I also liked the episode of Gilligan's Island where the Castaways staged a production of Hamlet Shakespeare's other famous work. There are a lot of parallels between West Side Story and Romeo And Juliet. I could go on and on but I am not as familiar with weither story.
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