Product Description

Leonard Bernstein’s 1951 opera is a biting satire on the emptiness of materialist values and the false promise of suburban comforts. This production, conducted by the composer himself, presents a live-action cast performing on an animated set. Inspired by jazz and American musical comedy, the score is a path-breaking fusion of lyric art with popular entertainment. Words and music by Leonard Bernstein; Leonard Bernstein, Conductor. Cast: Nancy Williams, Dinah; Julian Patrick, Sam; Antonia Butler, Michael Clarke, and Mark Brown, Trio.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61044 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-01-31
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 45 minutes

Customer Reviews

ONLY BERNSTEIN FANS NEED APPLY
The production, conducted by Leonard Bernstein, who composed the score and wrote the libretto, can be considered the official version of what he had in mind. As such Bernstein fans, as well as those who are interested in the best known American Man of Music in his time, will find it a most useful source for judging the merits of the composer at an early stage of his development as a major purveyor of classical music. For that purpose, a contribution to understanding the development of The Maestro, I recommend it highly. Considered as a contribution to 20th century music or to Bernstein's stature, it is a distinctly minor work.
Animation as scenery, singing , orchestral support and over-all direction seems to make the most of the material.
In sum, an enjoyable brief (44 minutes)visit with an amiable Bernstein work but no great shakes as a contribution to 20th Century opera.