On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:33:17 -0000, "David Looser"
wrote:

That's how you do opera.

I'll take your word for it.

A most peculiar project, wasn't it? Opera singers who couldn't cope
with the rhythms and a Tony who sounded more Hispanic than any of the
Sharks! The only number that survives is "Krupke" to my mind.

I agree. ISTM that Te Kanawa and Carreras were both hired because they were
big names rather than because they were suitable for the roles.

Again - that's how you do opera :-)
I'm not entirely tongue-in-cheek when I suggest the Broadway Musical
is the higher art-form. It's an opera where words, character and
acting matter.

IMO neither
sounded right. I thought "America" also survived quite well though.

I was also amused by Bernstein's enthusiastic praise for the score. A
certain lack of modesty there I thought. :-)

He may have had faults, but modesty was never one of them.