Principal Pops Conductor Michael Feinstein and the Pasadena Pops recently presented a tribute to Leonard Bernstein as part of the “Leonard Bernstein at 100” centennial being celebrated around the globe.
The evening of wide-ranging music included songs from Bernstein’s Broadway classics “West Side Story” and “On the Town,” as well as music written by his contemporaries — pieces that influenced him and that he influenced.
Talented soloists joined the Pops orchestra for the special tribute, including Carol Lawrence, Broadway’s original Maria in “West Side Story”; Julian Ovenden, known for his roles on “Downton Abbey,” “Person of Interest” and “Smash”; Australian soprano and cabaret star Ali McGregor who wowed the crowd with her multi-octave range; and local La Cañada Flintridge native Finn Sagal, winner of the 2017 Songbook Academy Award and Great American Songbook Youth Ambassador.
The evening of wide-ranging music included songs from Bernstein’s Broadway classics “West Side Story” and “On the Town,” as well as music written by his contemporaries — pieces that influenced him and that he influenced.
Talented soloists joined the Pops orchestra for the special tribute, including Carol Lawrence, Broadway’s original Maria in “West Side Story”; Julian Ovenden, known for his roles on “Downton Abbey,” “Person of Interest” and “Smash”; Australian soprano and cabaret star Ali McGregor who wowed the crowd with her multi-octave range; and local La Cañada Flintridge native Finn Sagal, winner of the 2017 Songbook Academy Award and Great American Songbook Youth Ambassador.
