Bradley Cooper’s new film, Maestro, follows some of the grandest achievements of the celebrated American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, but it also spends time focusing on his personal life and relationship with his wife, Felicia Montealegre. Maestro is Bradley Cooper’s second stint at directing, which he co-wrote, starred in, and produced. Cooper co-stars with Carey Mulligan, who expertly plays the part of Felicia Montealegre. The Netflix biopic’s opening scene shows Bernstein at the piano, giving an interview from his home and opening up about the loss of the love of his life, Felicia, and how much he missed her.
Felicia Montealegro and Leonard Bernstein’s story proved they had a deep, complicated connection, and Maestro manages to accurately depict the challenges of their relationship. The two met in 1946 at a party, got engaged a few months later, and broke up within a short timeframe. Montealegre went on to date actor Richard Hart, and they were together until he died in 1951. Montealegre and Bernstein rekindled their relationship shortly after and got married on September 9, 1951. Their marriage was rocked by Bernstein’s affairs, resulting in a separation in 1976 followed by another reconciliation a year later.
Maestro’s 8 Biggest Changes To The True Story Of Leonard Bernstein & Felicia Montealegre
Bradley Cooper’s Maestro is intensely focused on the dynamic between legendary composer Leonard Bernstein & the love of his life, Felicia Montealegre.
Felicia Montealegre Died Of Lung Cancer In 1978
Her cancer battle was depicted in Maestro
In 1977, Felicia Montealegre was diagnosed with lung cancer, as was depicted in Maestro. Bernstein had left her a year before, to go live with Tom Cothran in California. Once Bernstein learned of her diagnosis, he returned to her and cared for her. Bernstein canceled his upcoming performances to be with his wife, becoming a loving and caring husband again. The lung cancer took her life at the age of 56 on June 16, 1978, and she died with Bernstein by her side.
Following Montealegre’s death, Bernstein was reportedly heartbroken, and he took several months off to recover, barely leaving his bedroom for six months. Although the film doesn’t give a clear timeline of the events that followed, Bernstein eventually found a way to carry on with his life and career following her death. Bernstein struggled with his sexuality for a large part of his life, but following his wife’s death, he started to accept himself and he started openly dating men. He didn’t rekindle his relationship with Cothran, but they remained friends until the music director died from AIDS in 1987.
Leonard Bernstein Died Of A Heart Attack Caused By Lung Failure 12 Years Later In 1990
The celebrated American conductor and composer passed away days after his retirement
Maestro‘s ending doesn’t include Leonard Bernstein’s death, which happened in 1990, shortly after his retirement. Leonard Bernstein passed away in his New York apartment at the age of 72 on October 14, 1990, from a heart attack caused by mesothelioma. His death happened five days after retiring and 12 years after Montealegre’s death. Bernstein and his wife were heavy smokers, as depicted in Maestro, which caused Bernstein several health issues. Bernstein and Montealegre were laid to rest together at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Maestro
- Release Date
- December 20, 2023
- Director
- Bradley Cooper
- Cast
- Bradley Cooper , Carey Mulligan , Maya Hawke , Sarah Silverman , Matt Bomer
