Bernstein Joins Symphonic and Jazz Elements in West Side Story
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History II: Arts and Culture Series
- Categories: Arts, Music
- Subcategories: Drama, Theater, Playwrights, Entertainment, Entertainers, Composers, Songwriters
- Curriculum: American History 1951-present
- Geographical Location: New York City
- Date: 1957
Article abstract: Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, a musical drama based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, joined symphonic techniques with Latin American and jazz elements.
Summary of Event
It is generally agreed that the original idea for West Side Story belonged to Jerome Robbins. It was Robbins who suggested using the Romeo and Juliet story in a musical with a contemporary setting. The original idea, of course, was quite different from what eventually arrived on Broadway in 1957. The first meeting of West Side...
[The entire page is 2380 words long]
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