Bradley Cooper is leaving no stone unturned in his portrayal of the legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein in the upcoming film “Maestro.” Beyond his acting prowess, Cooper is demonstrating his commitment to the role by employing unconventional methods, including altering his voice and immersing himself in the world of conducting. In addition to starring as Bernstein, Cooper also directs and co-writes the film.
At a recent press conference during the New York Film Festival, the film’s makeup designer, Kazu Hiro, shed light on the intriguing techniques Cooper used to fully embody the character of Bernstein, particularly his distinctive speaking voice.
Hiro revealed that Cooper was determined to capture not just Bernstein’s appearance but also his unique vocal cadence. To achieve this, Hiro crafted a nose plug with varying-sized holes, which Cooper wore inside the prosthetic nose. This ingenious approach resulted in a “nasally” quality to his voice, mirroring Bernstein’s signature speaking style. In addition to the nose plug, Hiro widened the prosthetic nose to match the maestro’s distinctive nasal shape, enhancing the overall transformation.
Leonard Bernstein, renowned for his contributions to classical music and his work on iconic projects like “West Side Story,” passed away in 1990 at the age of 72. “Maestro” not only delves into his professional life but also explores the personal side, delving into his relationship with his wife, actress Felicia Montealegre, portrayed by Carey Mulligan.
During the NYFF press conference, Jamie Bernstein, Leonard Bernstein’s daughter, expressed her amazement at how Hiro captured her father’s appearance down to the smallest details, even his ears. Achieving the final stages of Bernstein’s life on screen required Cooper to endure an arduous five-hour makeup process, a testament to his dedication to the role.
In addition to the physical transformation, Cooper faced the daunting challenge of learning how to conduct. Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the film’s conducting consultant and music director of The Metropolitan Opera, provided insight into the rigorous training Cooper underwent to portray the “most-documented” conductor in history.
Nézet-Séguin praised Cooper’s remarkable commitment to the role, noting his exhaustive research and attention to detail. While Cooper had some prior knowledge of conducting mimics, the goal was to make the conducting sequences believable while allowing him to channel Leonard Bernstein’s essence as an actor.
Bradley Cooper’s passion for conducting was evident long before “Maestro.” In a 2022 interview with Variety, he revealed that he had harbored a childhood dream of becoming a conductor, expressing his fascination with the art form since he was a young boy.
Co-writer Josh Singer also emphasized Cooper’s deep immersion in the character, citing personal recordings and tapes of the Bernstein family that Cooper “listened to ad nauseam.” Singer marveled at Cooper’s ability to write authentic dialogue that reflected his profound understanding of Bernstein’s persona.
“Maestro,” featuring an ensemble cast including Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, Sarah Silverman, Josh Hamilton, Gideon Glick, and Miriam Shor, is set to premiere on Netflix on December 20th. The film promises an engaging exploration of the life and legacy of the iconic Leonard Bernstein, with Bradley Cooper’s extraordinary dedication shining through in every frame.
