Chapter 52
Leonard Bernstein
West Side Story
Chapter at a Glance
Listen to This First
Representative Melodies
Additive Form
Increasingly Complex Textures
Word-
Connect Your Playlist: Additive Form
Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter and listening to the work, students should be able to:
52.1 Explain the distinction between opera and operetta.
West Side Story as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet,
belonging to the genre of the musical.
Key Concepts
additive form, ensembles
Chapter Highlight: The Broadway Musical
The Broadway musical is a direct descendent of European operetta, a spoken play with
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structure.
Chapter Summary
West Side Story (libretto by Stephen Sondheim) is a modern-day version of
the story of Romeo and Juliet. The feuding families are the warring street gangs the Jets and the
Sharks, and the balcony scene is actually done on a fire escape, but the tragedy of two lovers
caught between the groups is the same. The musical was a smash hit when it premiered in 1957.
dialogue.
the Sharks on the other. The groups do not interact onstage, but their music does. These warring
groups have very different melodic lines to sing from what the composer gave to Tony and
arks oppose each other, they have their plans for
Listening Guide
The two gangs (Jets and Sharks) both have the same music, which consists of short melodic
fragments over an ostinato in the bass. As one of the associates of the gang, Anita also sings this
music. Tony and Maria have an entirely different melodic part, lyrical and soaring. It reflects the
gentler nature of their relationship, not the warring edgy music of the gangs. These two melodies
are distinguished by numbers in the Listening Guide.
MyMusicLab Resources
Automated Listening Guide West Side Story
Chapter Audio: Chapter 52
Profile: Leonard Bernstein (1918 1990)
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Discussion Topics and Critical Thinking Questions
1. West Side Story engages the audience in distinct
tableaux that are made easy to understand by the music. How did Bernstein use musical
manage to combine the elements of the story line in a meaningful way so that all could be on
those of the Jets and the Sharks?
Activities and Exercises
1. West Side Story is a musical with a social conscience. Examine other musicals
that do more than entertain. What are the values being taught in the examples you use? Ask
Journaling Prompt