Termed as a big contender for next year's Academy Award, among the most awaited movies of the year, Maestro will be released on Netflix on December 20, 2023. Directed by Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper, Maestro features Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, Sarah Silverman, Michael Urie, Gideon Glick, Miriam Shor, Alexa Swinton and more in the leading roles. Bradley Cooper who was widely praised for his movie A Star Is Born opposite Lady Gaga by the critics is banking big on Netflix's Maestro. Cooper has not only directed the movie but also co-written & co-produced Maestro for Netflix. Now, the question arises whether Maestro is a true story or Maestro is a real story or not? Below is what we know about Maestro's True Story on Netflix-
Is Maestro a true story?
The answer is yes. Maestro is a true story that revolves around the life of American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein & his wife Felicia Montealegre. To be precise, Maestro on Netflix is a biopic of America's great conductor Leonard Bernstein. While those wondering whether the Netflix movie will portray the musical greatness of Leonard Bernstein or not, the answer is a big no. Maestro will showcase the unseen side of Leonard Bernstein i.e. his love story with his wife Felicia Montealegre. Seeing the movie's trailer, Bradley Cooper plays the character of Leonard Bernstein, on the other hand, Carey Mulligan plays the character of Felicia Montealegre.
Maestro's official synopsis says, "From Director Bradley Cooper, Maestro is the towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between cultural icon Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. A love letter to life and art, Maestro, at its core, is an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love."
"If summer doesn't sing in you then nothing sings in you. If nothing sings in you then you can't make music", says Leonard in Maestro's trailer hinting that his wife played a vital role in his musical greatness.
Who is Leonard Bernstein?
For the unversed, Leonard Bernstein is considered to be one of the greatest American conductors of all time. Apart from being a conductor, Leonard Bernstein also known as a composer, pianist, music educator, author, and humanitarian. Leonard Bernstein was the first American conductor to receive international acclaim. Bernstein was "one of the most prodigiously talented and successful musicians in American history" according to music critic Donal Henahan. Bernstein received numerous honors and accolades including seven Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, and 16 Grammy Awards (including the Lifetime Achievement Award) as well as an Academy Award nomination. He received the Kennedy Center Honor in 1981.
Interestingly, Leonard wrote most of his Operas while on honeymoon with his wife Felicia Montealegre. Notably, Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre underwent through turmoil as the US conductor was bisexual. Leonard had always conducted numerous affairs with both men and women. For instance, when Leonard was at Harvard, he had affairs with famed conductor Dimitri Mitropoulos and the aspiring composer Aaron Copland.
On October 14, 1990, Leonard Bernstein died of a heart attack caused by lung failure.