Kiri Te Kanawa - The Making of West Side Story Documentary
移民が集まるニューヨークのウエスト・サイド。プエルトリコ系移民集団のリーダーを兄に持つ少女が、あるときダンスパーティーに参加する。そこで彼女が恋に落ちたのは、対立する勢力の元リーダーの青年だった。(English) The West Side of New York, where immigrants gather. One day, a girl whose brother is the leader of a group of Puerto Rican immigrants attends a dance party. There she falls in love with a young man, the former leader of the opposing forces.
West Side Story
//Summary - Level-C2//
"West Side Story" revolutionized musical films by addressing social issues like race and poverty. Set in 1950s Manhattan, the story follows rival gangs, the Jets and Sharks, and the forbidden love between Tony and Maria, echoing Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." Released in 1961 and later adapted by Steven Spielberg in 2021, the musical explores themes of discrimination, immigration, and the struggles of low-income communities, marking a departure from traditional happy-ending musicals.
1)
"West Side Story" changed the way musical films were made. First, the stage version that ran on Broadway was made into a movie.
It was released nationally in 1961 and in Japan the same year.
The stage version continues to be performed around the world. In 2021 it will be made into a film directed by Steven Spielberg and choreographed by Justin Peck.
2)
A revolution in the world of music:
"West Side Story is a work that changed the concept of musicals."
Until then, musicals had often depicted a happy world and ended with a happy ending. West Side Story, on the other hand, tackles social issues such as race head-on.
After about nine years of planning, the stage version opened on Broadway in 1957.
3)
New musical era:
This was the era of the happy blockbuster musicals produced by MGM.
Bad cultures like Elvis Presley and James Dean were popular then. As a result, public interest shifted from the dream world to the real world.
Then, in 1959, "West Side Story", a musical that dealt with social issues and was filmed in a realistic New York cityscape, became a huge hit.
4)
Synopsis for "West Side Story:
Manhattan in New York in the late 1950s, West Side, a city full of low-income people and immigrants.
The Polish gang "Jets" and the Puerto Rican immigrant gang "Sharks" fight as usual. But, suffering from poverty, discrimination and anger towards society, these young people take it out on each other.
Riff, the leader of Team Jet, challenges Bernardo, the leader of Team Shark, to a duel. The location is a dance party in a neutral zone.
Riff brings along his former leader and best friend, Tony. Tony has left the gang and works honestly in a drugstore. Tony has a fateful encounter with a beautiful girl named Maria at a dance club.
But Maria is the younger sister of Bernardo, the leader of the "Shark Team".
Two people who need each other in forbidden love.
The more the pure love between them accelerates, the more misfortune they bring to those around them.
5)
A Modern Version of Romeo and Juliet:
"West Side Story" is based on one of Shakespeare's four great tragedies, Romeo and Juliet.
It deals not only with immigration but also with Jewish issues. Doc is the owner of the shop where Tony works. He is believed to have lived in Europe and survived the Holocaust before moving to New York.
Furthermore, his wife and children are already dead. Therefore, such a Doc is also discriminated against in New York.
In addition, Anybodies, girls who yearn for men, will also appear. Finally, a character with neat hair, like a boy, appears. Such Anybodies is also struggling to find her place.
And the police who appear are supposed to be Jewish and Polish. Those discriminated against do not blame their birth and have regular jobs.
A conflict between Puerto Ricans and Poles. It also reflects the sad reality of low-income struggles.
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Q1. What can we do to create a world without discrimination?
A1-> Creating a world without discrimination is a complex endeavour that requires systemic change on multiple fronts. However, here are a few strategies:
1. Education: Promote knowledge about different cultures, races, religions, sexual orientations, and abilities. Understanding can lead to empathy and reduce stereotypes and biases.
2. Inclusive Policies: Governments and organizations should create policies that promote fairness and equality. This includes anti-discrimination laws, equal opportunity policies, and programs to support marginalized communities.
3. Media Representation: Diverse representation can help normalize and humanize people from different backgrounds, reducing bias and discrimination.
4. Dialogue and Communication: Encourage open conversations about discrimination. Acknowledging the problem is the first step to addressing it.
5. Promote Empathy: Encouraging empathy and understanding can reduce prejudice and discrimination. This can be facilitated through community programs, education, and even virtual reality experiences.
6. Encourage Diversity: Workplaces, schools, and communities should strive for diversity, as this can expose individuals to different perspectives and reduce biases.
7. Active Bystander Intervention: Encourage people to speak up when they witness discrimination. This can include training on how to intervene safely and effectively.
8. Promote Equity: Besides equality, there's a need for equity to ensure everyone has access to the same opportunities. This might require extra assistance for those disadvantaged by systemic discrimination.
Creating a world without discrimination is a long-term process that requires the efforts of individuals, communities, and governments worldwide. Nevertheless, it is a noble goal that, while challenging, is essential for a just and harmonious society.
Synopsis and commentary for the 1961 film "West Side Story".
https://dancedou.com/west-side-story-1961
Kiri Te Kanawa - The Making of West Side Story Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3SEW63LsaM
A behind-the-scenes look into the recording sessions with Kiri Te Kanawa (Maria), José Carreras (Tony), Tatiana Troyanos (Anita) and Kurt Ollmann (Riff), conducted by Leonard Bernstein. 1984
Twenty-seven years after its Broadway premiere, Bernstein produced West Side Story for the first time in his New York studio for recording by Deutsche Grammophon. This video is a detailed account of the rehearsal. Also of interest are the enthusiastic appearances by Te Kanawa and Carreras, the unique Bernstein narration and the interviews with the singers.
The musical masterpiece that made Bernstein's name immortal is a modern version of Romeo and Juliet, about the tragic love between a boy and a girl who conflict with a gang of delinquents on New York's West Side. So music with sweet melodies and wild rhythms that touch the heart is attractive. The composer himself had the right touch, and this recording, which featured top opera singers such as Te Kanawa and Carreras, is widely regarded as a masterpiece in which Bernstein's will permeates every nook and cranny.
Maria: Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano)
Tony: Jose Carreras (tenor)
Anita: Tatiana Trojanos (mezzo-soprano)
Riff: Kurt Olmann (baritone)
Singers: Marilyn Horne (Alto)
Orchestra & Chorus
Leonard Bernstein (Conductor)
Recording date: September 1984
Recording location: New York
Recording technique: Stereo (digital/session)
Leonard Bernstein & Tatiana Troyanos – West Side Story: America (Teaser)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLRgmiqy5sY
West Side Story - America (Troyanos/Edeiken)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wco-74BSFbI
Bernstein rehearses Kiri and Jose for 'Tonight.'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWRBtdrw88E
Kiri Te Kanawa At The BBC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPEXrB6NRUQ
[English] Tonight - West Side Story (Japanese subtitles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=posdV2tZZes
West Side Story – Cast 2021 - America (From "West Side Story")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoQEddtFN3Q
"Tonight (Balcony Scene)" - West Side Story 1961/2021 Supercut
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjBzPMfQ3n0
Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé | Barcelona (Full Concert) Live La Nit 1988 Digitally Enhanced
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62GtQDwf3m0
Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé performing "live" at La Nit, 1988 (Digitally Enhanced). All songs feature are from their duet album, Barcelona. Only three songs were performed. However, Guide Me Home is the sister song of How Can I Go On. Therefore, I decided to edit together clips from the show to make it fit in. The lip sync performance is speculated because of Freddie's decreasing health.