Film and Music: West Side Story

Description

Two lovers on opposing sides, in Shakespeare they are called Romeo and Juliet, in Bernstein Tony and Maria. Leonard Bernstein's captivating music – performed live by the Musikkollegium Winterthur – made "West Side Story" a musical hit. The now legendary film version was rightfully awarded ten Oscars.

A feast for the eyes, ears, and heart, this film carries a clear message: tolerance and reconciliation instead of violence and prejudice. Maria and Tony do not care about the feud between their gangs; for them, only love matters. Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" story is set here in New York in 1961, where even the shabbiest backyard is picturesque, where magnificent Buicks and Cadillacs drive, and the famous balcony scene takes place on a fire escape. From today's perspective, it may be unsettling how unabashedly the Puerto Rican origin is portrayed through skin color and speech accent. In this, the film is both a historical document and reflected in the Broadway choreography of the fight scenes. After these lively dance sequences, the deadly end is all the more poignant. One suffers today as then with the young lovers separated by hatred.

Highlights

• Performed live by Musikkollegium Winterthur
• Legendary film adaptation with ten Oscars
• Themes of love, tolerance, and reconciliation

General Information

The event presents the musical film "West Side Story" by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins at Theater Winterthur. Leonard Bernstein's music is performed live by the Musikkollegium Winterthur. The film tells the story of two lovers in a gang-controlled New York of the 1960s.

Location

Theaterstrasse 6, 8400 Winterthur, Schweiz

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