Also: “Icons of Austria – The World Machine” and “The Culture Week” – from 9:05 a.m. on ORF 2
Vienna (OTS) – Vienna in amber fever! After the successful opening of the musical “Candide” at the MusikTheater an der Wien last week and the upcoming “West Side Story” premiere at the Vienna Volksoper on January 26th, two new productions are dedicated to the popular work of the American composer and conductor . On this occasion, the “matinee” presented by Peter Schneeberger on Sunday, January 28th, 2024 at 9:05 a.m. on ORF 2 will first show the documentary “West Side Story – Leonard Bernstein’s Broadway hit”, which delves into the history of the creation of the musical hit. Afterwards, the making of “Candide in the MusikTheater an der Wien – A look behind the scenes” (10 a.m.) is on the program. An edition of the short series “Icons of Austria” (10.30 a.m.) about “The World Machine” is followed by “The Culture Week” (10.45 a.m.) with current reports and tips on local cultural events.
„West Side Story – Leonard Bernsteins Broadwayhit“ (9.05 Uhr)
The documentary by Axel Fuhrmann and Axel Brüggemann uses the history and influence of the musical classic “West Side Story” to explore the life and work of its composer Leonard Bernstein. The film looks back to the USA in the 1950s and shows the socially critical and current references of the work, then and now. It’s about the influence of Hispanic society, the gang wars in New York, youth culture and youth violence. The soloists from the premiere in 1957, Carol Lawrence (Maria), Chita Rivera (Anita) and Reri Grist (Consuelo), as well as the composer’s daughter Jamie Bernstein and the actors Eddie Verso and Bert Michaels from the 1961 musical film will have their say. A sidestep to the European premiere at the Volksoper underlines how much Leonard Bernstein and his music have shaped the Viennese world of musicals.
“Candide at the MusikTheater an der Wien – A look behind the scenes” (10 a.m.)
When Voltaire wrote his novel “Candide” in 1759, the Lisbon earthquake had just completely shaken faith in divine order. When Leonard Bernstein transformed Voltaire’s novel about the indestructibly optimistic title character into a satirical American operetta in 1956, the world was in the middle of the Cold War. And even today, when one crisis follows the next, “Candide” describes the craziness and otherworldliness of this world better than ever.
The MusikTheater an der Wien brought Bernstein’s work to the stage of its renovated branch in Hall E of the Vienna MuseumsQuartier. The ORF was able to accompany the creation process of the new production and provides insights into the different phases of the production: from the scenic rehearsals to the first meeting of the orchestra and soloist ensemble, the work with the choir, the costume fittings, the technical setup of the stage design, the stage rehearsals to to the dress rehearsal.
The American director Lydia Steier makes her Vienna debut with her “Candide” production, which is characterized by dark humor and sarcasm. Set designer Momme Hinrichs takes on the challenge of visualizing the countless places that Candide (Matthew Newlin) travels through on his adventurous journey through the Old and New Worlds in search of his Cunegonde (Nikola Hillebrand). Ursula Kudrna, on the other hand, takes up the idea of time travel in her costume concept – and so around 300 costumes have to be made that reflect a stylistic diversity from the 18th century to a dystopian future.
The production is a brilliantly orchestrated homage to European music history, peppered with parodic humor. Chief conductor Marin Alsop, a student and companion of Leonard Bernstein, is even at the podium of the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna.