<<

FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

27–28 JULY 2018 CONCERT PROGRAM MIRISCH PICTURES Presents “” A WISE Production Starring Directed by & Screenplay by Associate Producer SAUL CHAPLIN Choreography by JEROME ROBBINS Music by Lyrics by Based upon the Stage Play Produced by ROBERT E. GRIFFITH AND HAROLD S. Book by Play Conceived, Directed and Choreographed by JEROME ROBBINS Film Production Designed by BORIS LEVEN Music Conducted by Presented by MIRISCH PICTURES, INC. In Association with SEVEN ARTS PRODUCTIONS INC. Filmed by PANAVISION® TECHNICOLOR®

FILM SCREENING OF WEST SIDE STORY COURTESY OF METRO GOLDWYN MAYER STUDIOS INC. WEST SIDE STORY © 1961 METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER STUDIOS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. WEST SIDE STORY IS AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY, DVD AND ALL DIGITAL PLATFORMS.

PRODUCTION CREDITS Original manuscript reconstruction: Ramin Collection at Columbia Producer: Paul H. Epstein for The Eleonor M. Sandresky University, The Robert Wise Leonard Bernstein Office, Inc. Technical Consultant: Laura Gibson Collection at the University of Associate Producer: Eleonor Soundtrack Adaptation: Chace Southern , Lawrence A. M. Sandresky for The Leonard Audio by Deluxe: Robert Heiber, Mirisch, David Newman, Metro Bernstein Office, Inc. Chris Reynolds, Andrew Starbin, Goldwyn Mayer Studios, Ken Hahn Production Supervisor: Meera Alice Taylor and Sync Sound Vijayendra Sound Separation Technology Technical Director: Mike Runice provided by Audionamix Sound Engineer: Martin Bierman Click Tracks and Streamers created Music Supervision: Garth Edwin by: Kristopher Carter and Mako Sunderland Sujishi West Side Story is a registered Original Orchestrations: Leonard With special thanks to: Arthur trademark of The Leonard Bernstein Bernstein, , Laurents and his Estate, Stephen Office, Inc. in the US and other Additional orchestrations: Garth Sondheim, The Robbins Rights countries. Edwin Sunderland & Peter West Trust, The Johnny Green Collection Music Preparation: Peter West at Harvard University, The Sid

Running time: Two hours and 40 minutes, including a 20-minute interval

In consideration of your fellow patrons, the MSO thanks you for silencing and dimming the light on your phone. The MSO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which it is performing. MSO pays its respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Elders from other mso.com.au (03) 9929 9600 communities who may be in attendance. MELBOURNE SYMPHONY BENJAMIN NORTHEY ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR

Established in 1906, the Melbourne Benjamin Northey is Chief Conductor Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is an of the Christchurch Symphony arts leader and Australia’s oldest Orchestra and Associate Conductor professional orchestra. Chief of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Conductor Sir Andrew Davis has Benjamin appears regularly as guest been at the helm of MSO since 2013. conductor with all major Australian Engaging more than 4 million people symphony orchestras, Opera Australia each year, the MSO reaches diverse (Turandot, L’elisir d’amore, Don Giovanni, audiences through live performances, Così fan tutte, Carmen), New Zealand recordings, TV and radio broadcasts Opera (Sweeney Todd) and State Opera and live streaming. Its international South Australia (La sonnambula, Les audiences include China, where MSO contes d’Hoffmann). His international has performed in 2012, 2016 and appearances include concerts with most recently in May 2018, Europe London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo (2014) and Indonesia, where in 2017 Philharmonic Orchestra and Mozarteum it performed at the UNESCO World Orchestra Salzburg. Heritage Site, Prambanan Temple. With a progressive and diverse The MSO performs a variety of approach to repertoire, he has concerts ranging from symphonic collaborated with a broad range of performances at its home, Hamer artists including Maxim Vengerov and Hall at Arts Centre Melbourne, to its Slava Grigoryan, as well as popular annual free concerts at Melbourne’s artists Tim Minchin, Barry Humphries largest outdoor venue, the Sidney and James Morrison. Myer Music Bowl. The MSO also delivers innovative and engaging An Honorary Fellow at the University programs and digital tools to of Melbourne Conservatorium audiences of all ages through its of Music, his awards include the Education and Outreach initiatives. prestigious 2010 Melbourne Prize Outstanding Musician’s Award as well as multiple awards for his numerous recordings with ABC Classics. In 1955, a conducting engagement at character-driven choreography, the Hollywood Bowl brought 36-year- Laurents’ ingenious transposition of old composer Leonard Bernstein to Shakespeare, and the thrilling Bernstein . That August, a chance score, with lyrics by Sondheim that meeting at the Beverly Hills Hotel included “Tonight” and “Maria.” When with playwright Arthur Laurents Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise reignited the two artists’ stalled plan joined forces to co-direct the 1961 to collaborate on a musical. screen version for , starring box office favourite Natalie Seven years earlier, choreographer/ Wood and Richard Beymer (The Diary director Jerome Robbins had of Anne Frank), the result was one of approached Bernstein with what the the decade’s greatest commercial and composer called in his diary “a noble critical triumphs. idea: a modern version of set in slums at the coincidence of The film’s co-stars, George Chakiris Easter-Passover celebrations. Feelings (Bernardo) and Rita Moreno (Anita), run high between Jews and Catholics… took home for Best Street brawls, double death – it all fits.” Supporting Actor and Actress. Their The idea lay dormant until a chance victories were echoed by Oscars for meeting in 1955 reignited the two Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, artists’ stalled plan to collaborate on Color; Best Cinematography, Color; a musical, when an L.A. newspaper Best Costume Design, Color (winner headline about Latino gang problems Irene Sharaff also worked on the inspired an exciting new path. With the Broadway original); Best ; hiring of 25-year-old composer Stephen Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Sondheim, who reluctantly signed on to Picture; Best Sound; Best Director provide lyrics only, the final pieces fell (for both Robbins and Wise, the first into place. time this award was shared); and Best Picture. Jerome Robbins also received After two years of rewriting and an honorary Academy Award “for his struggles to raise financing, West Side brilliant achievements in the art of Story’s 1957 Broadway opening elicited choreography on film.” reactions that ranged from passionate raves to stunned walk-outs. The latter Half a century after its original release, were sparked by the musical’s depiction West Side Story the motion picture will of gang warfare and prejudice, and its be presented tonight in a format that near unprecedented body count for a brings its own innovations. MGM has musical on the Great White Way. The created a restored, high-definition print show was largely snubbed at the Tony of the film that reveals details unseen Awards in favour of a more accessible since 1961. Sound technology developed rival, . by Paris-based Audionamix was utilised to remove orchestral elements on the Nevertheless, audiences in soundtrack while retaining vocals, and London (where the show was an dialogue, and effects. This allows instant smash) quickly caught up with tonight’s conductor, Benjamin Northey, the innovations of Robbins’ explosive, to accompany the vocals with the Mirisch, she was able to assemble a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, in mock-up short score of the complete a live performance of the complete film. Garth Edwin Sunderland, Senior Bernstein score. Music Editor for the Bernstein Office, restored and adapted the orchestration Although the original musical materials for live performance. At the same time, for the movie arrangements were lost, Sunderland oversaw the creation of 14 months of research by Eleonor M. a brand new engraving of the entire Sandresky of The Leonard Bernstein , right down to last-minute Office brought to light a trove of modifications made on the scoring important finds in private collections stage in 1961. and library archives around the country. From materials discovered in the papers The final result is a presentation of West of orchestrator Sid Ramin, as well as Side Story unlike any in the history of in the archives of conductor/music this screen musical. supervisor Johnny Green, director Steven Smith is an Emmy-nominated documentary Robert Wise, and producer Walter producer, journalist, and author of the biography “A Heart at Fire’s Center: The Life and Music of ” Honouring Mrs Jeanne Pratt AC, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Life Member

‘I’m an ordinary woman who has led an extraordinary life’ Extraordinary barely does justice to the remarkable circumstances of Jeanne Pratt’s life. Born in Poland, her Jewish family fled to Australia in 1939, narrowly escaping Nazi persecution. Growing up in Sydney, Jeanne attended Sydney Girls’ High, and later, the University of Sydney. Working as a journalist, she was on an assignment in Melbourne when she met Richard Pratt, the handsome son of Polish parents who had also emigrated to Australia. Three days later, they were engaged. The rest, as they say, is history – taking over Richard’s father’s business, Visy, Jeanne and Richard transformed it into an international empire. Today, at 82 years of age, Jeanne remains co-chair of Visy. However, it is Jeanne’s philanthropic generosity and the extraordinary difference she has made to so many – both in Australia and abroad – for which she is best known. In 1978, Richard and Jeanne established The Pratt Foundation, to support charitable enterprises and to ‘enrich the lives of our communities.’ The Foundation is now one of the largest private sources of philanthropy in Australia, donating more than $14 million annually. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is delighted to be awarding Mrs Jeanne Pratt AC with a Life Membership. Through the Pratt Foundation, Jeanne has given generously to the MSO for many years and supported a diverse range of causes and projects. Recent examples include the Orchestra’s 2014 Tour to the UK and Europe with Sir Andrew Davis, and three years’ seed funding to establish MSO’s MUSO program (designed to help younger audiences attend MSO concerts). Last year, Jeanne generously opened the doors of her private family residence, Raheen, to host a fundraising dinner in aid of MSO’s future international touring activities. Thank you, Jeanne, for your tireless promotion and advocacy of the Australian arts sector and for your unwavering support of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra – ‘extraordinary’ doesn’t begin to cover it! You may also enjoy…

A NIGHT OF HARRY POTTER HANDEL’S MESSIAH ROMANTIC AND THE PRISONER CLASSICS OF AZKABAN™ IN 15 – 16 December 2018 CONCERT Arts Centre Melbourne, 2 November 2018 Hamer Hall Melbourne Town Hall 8 – 10 November Come celebrate with A night of celebration Plenary, MCEC this annual tradition. awaits with Benjamin Get ready to encounter Since its triumphant Northey at the helm! a Dementor™, ride the premiere in Dublin in 1742, The opening bars of Knight Bus™ and discover Messiah has remained Dvořák’s Carnival Overture just who Sirius Black™ Handel’s most frequently leap off the page with really is. Relive the magic performed work. This tremendous energy and the of your favourite wizard year, Handel’s epic setting joyful nature of the ending in Harry Potter and the of biblical texts features of Brahms’ First Symphony Prisoner of Azkaban™ — Dutch early music specialist has a similar effect. in Concert. Jan Willem de Vriend and a cast from Australia, Based on the third Australian rising star Belgium and Germany. violinist, Harry Bennetts, instalment of J.K. makes his MSO debut Rowling’s classic This popular annual and performs a wonderful saga, fans can now concert is the perfect concerto by a genius of experience the thrilling way to welcome in 20th century classical and tale accompanied by the the festive season. film music, the Austrian music of a live symphony composer Erich Korngold. orchestra as Harry soars across the big screen. Enjoy this evening HARRY POTTER characters, of romantic classics names and related indicia are © with the MSO. & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. J.K. ROWLING’S WIZARDING WORLD ™ J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s18)

Tickets for these shows and more at mso.com.au BERNSTEIN CELEBRATION Continue the celebration of Leonard Bernstein Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

BERNSTEIN CLASSICS BERNSTEIN ON BROADWAY 15 AUGUST | 7.30pm 18 AUGUST | 7.30pm Bramwell Tovey conductor Bramwell Tovey conductor

Witness Bernstein’s Jeremiah, Embrace Bernstein’s beloved New York the joyous Chichester Psalms with songs and instrumental excerpts and works by Mahler and Copland, from his biggest works. two of his inspirations.

mso.com.au/bernstein

Leonard Bernstein by Paul de Hueck, Courtesy of the Leonard Bernstein Office