Bernstein Double Bill: Walter & Lenny with On The Town
A stunning double bill of play and film presented by Cheltenham Music Festival to mark the Leonard Bernstein Centenary.
Play: Walter and Lenny
In 1963, Walter Hussey, Dean of Chichester Cathedral, wrote to world famous composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, asking him if he would compose a piece of choral music for their upcoming Three Choirs Festival. Bernstein accepted. An extraordinary friendship arose from their correspondence, and in 1965 The Chichester Psalms received their (almost) world premiere in the Cathedral.
A delightful insight into a chance friendship and the creation of a stunning piece of music that continues to entrance and enthrall audiences around the world.
Film: On The Town
Three sailors – Gabey, Chip and Ozzie – let loose on a 24-hour pass in New York and the Big Apple will never be the same! Gabey falls head over heels for “Miss Turnstiles of the Month” (he thinks she’s a high society deb when she’s really a ‘cooch dancer at Coney Island); innocent Chip gets highjacked (literally) by a lady cab driver; and Ozzie becomes the object of interest of a gorgeous anthropologist who thinks he’s the perfect example of a “prehistoric man”.
Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Ann Miller star in this glorious film version of the classic stage musical with book and lyrics by Comden & Green (Singin’ in the Rain) and a stunning score by Leonard Bernstein.
