Bernstein Collection

Leonard Bernstein Collection

Leonard Bernstein Photo © Suzie Maeder. All Rights Reserved. 2023/Bridgeman Images.

Although never having a formal relationship with the Jacobs School of Music, Leonard Bernstein spent six weeks in Bloomington beginning in January 1982.

During that six-week period, he completed his final opera, A Quiet Place, and thus began a relationship with IU that continued for the rest of his life.

In 2009, the Jacobs School was asked to be the caretaker of the contents of Bernstein’s composition studio, then still at his family home in Fairfield, Connecticut.

The contents are now on public display in the school's Simon Music Library and Recital Center.

Mass at 50 webinar

In January of 2022, the Leonard Bernstein Office and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music copresented MASS at 50 a livestreamed panel discussion.

Offering a range of perspectives about the history of MASS and its continuing impact, the panel was moderated by Bernstein’s daughter Jamie Bernstein.

Panelists include:

  • Stephen Schwartz, lyricist with Bernstein for MASS
  • Marin Alsop, frequent conductor of MASS, including the recent Ravinia production
  • Paulo Szot, baritone, Celebrant in the recent Ravinia production
  • Carol Oja, William Powell Mason Professor of Music at Harvard University
  • John Mauceri, frequent conductor of MASS, including its first European performance and the tenth anniversary production at the Kennedy Center
  • Wayne Marshall, frequent conductor of MASS in Europe
  • Douglas Webster, baritone, Celebrant in the 1988 IU production at Tanglewood and frequent director and producer of MASS.

View the webinar recording