Broadway Musicals

Question 1

Name the famous Broadway composer

Answer 1

Leonard Bernstein

Question 2

What did Bernstein do?

Answer 2

• He was a famous american composer/conductor (1918-1991)
• composed many pieces mostly important for the stage (musicals and operettas)
• composed West Side Story in 1957 for broadway
• plot was based on Romeo and Juliet

Question 3

Name the characteristics of Broadway Musicals

Answer 3

1) A dramatic performance (music, lighting, props etc.)
2) Made up of solos, duets, ensembles + spoken dialogue
3) Music has strong memorable vocal melodies
4) Have strong dance numbers with repetitive, clear, syncopated rhythms (sometimes)
5) Use of orchestra, some use jazz + rock instruments
6) Often syllabic word setting - one syllable to a note
7) Sometimes use melisma to create effect - sing many notes to a syllable