At 7.30pm, at Gran Teatre del Liceu :

WEST SIDE STORY, by L. Bernstein

Orchestra from Gran Teatre del Liceu

Gustavo Dudamel : Conductor

Nadine Sierra : Maria

Juan Diego Flórez : Tony

Isabel Leonard : Anita

Jarrett Ott : Riff

Milan Perišic : Bernardo

Cristofol Romaguera  : Baby John

Jan Antem :  Action

Pau Camero : A-rab

Montserrat Seró : Rosalia

Laura Brasó : Francisca

Tanit Bono : Consuelo

Vertical shots of Manhattan, a whistle in the distance, the camera suddenly plunging down on a basketball court where a group of young men are snapping their fingers… The Prologue to West Side Story has become a film legend. Although the film won ten Oscars in 1962, it is first and foremost a musical. The genesis of West Side Story dates back to 1949. Choreographer Jerome Robbins approached Leonard Bernstein with a modern version of Romeo and Juliet, featuring street brawls between Jewish and Catholic groups. The composer was enthusiastic about the idea of creating a “musical tragedy”, but soon gave up because of his conducting duties. The project was revived six years later when Bernstein met playwright Arthur Laurents in a Beverly Hills hotel. Laurents set the scene for the conflict between two rival gangs of “Americans” and Puerto Rican newcomers. This close-knit team was joined by the exceptional talent of the very young lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who was soon to become the king of Broadway. The first rehearsals began with great enthusiasm, and the New York premiere on 26 September 1957 was hailed as a milestone in the history of American music. The show ran for 772 performances at the Winer Garden for two years. Author of such gems as Wonderful Town and Candide, Bernstein may never have written more beautiful music than West Side Story.

Inflamed by the rhythms of Latin America, particularly Cuba, the score displays a dazzling diversity, often reaching the grandeur of an opera. From the Mambo in the ballroom scene to America to the rhythm of Huapango, not forgetting I Feel Pretty or Maria… Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel (already musical director of the soundtrack to Steven Spielberg’s revival of West Side Story in 2021) can be counted on to ignite the Latin rhythms of Bernstein’s score. In the role of the tragic couple, the Peruvian Juan Diego Flórez has the golden voice to play Tony and the American Nadine Sierra (who has Puerto Rican roots) has the ideal quivering sensitivity to play Maria. Irresistible!