Leonard Bernstein Marks His 65th with An Experimental Journey Back to Lawrence, Mass.

UPDATED 09/12/1983 at 01:00 AM EDT Originally published 09/12/1983 at 01:00 AM EDT

Leonard Bernstein rejected offers from the Hollywood Bowl and Milan's opera house, La Scala, to return to his birthplace, Lawrence, Mass., for his 65th birthday two weeks ago. "I haven't been here in 49 years," he exclaimed. Resplendent in a white suit, sky-blue shirt and striped tie, he was treated to a hero's welcome, a hectic day of parades, praise, picnics and, finally, concerts in his honor by two area symphony orchestras. However, everyone knows you can't go home again; Thomas Wolfe said so. Now we know why: The fireworks planned to accompany the concert were canceled for fear the wind might blow them onto spectators. And then too there were Bernstein's repetitious solos on the theme of nuclear freeze. Muttered one of Lenny's townsfolk: "I bet there aren't more than 15 people here who care about nuclear proliferation."

Your Reaction

Follow Us

On Newsstands Now

Brad's Devotion: The Inside Story
  • Brad's Devotion: The Inside Story
  • Oklahoma Tornado: Heroic Rescues
  • Michael Douglas on Catherine's Health

Pick up your copy on newsstands

Click here for instant access to the Digital Magazine

Advertisement

From Our Partners

Watch It

Editors' Picks

From Our Partners