In the upcoming biopic “Maestro,” Bradley Cooper delves into the intricacies of Leonard Bernstein’s marriage with actress Felicia Montealegre, refusing to shy away from the complexities of Bernstein’s bisexuality. In a recent interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, Bernstein’s children — Jamie, Nina, and Alexander Bernstein — offered insights into their father’s double life and the portrayal of this aspect in the film.
Bernstein, a musical maestro, tied the knot with Montealegre in 1951, a union portrayed by Carey Mulligan in the film. However, according to Bernstein’s children, Montealegre entered the marriage fully aware of her husband’s sexuality.
“She knew exactly what the deal was,” revealed Jamie Bernstein, the eldest child, emphasizing the understanding between her parents.
Despite the challenges posed by Bernstein’s bisexuality, the children described a loving relationship between their parents, shielded from their view. Alexander Bernstein remarked, “They obviously loved each other to death. They never fought in front of us. We never saw any darkness. They kept everything very well tidied and pretty well hidden.”
A poignant moment in the film depicts Jamie, portrayed by Maya Hawke, questioning Cooper’s Bernstein about the rumors surrounding his sexuality, a conversation reflecting the complexities of the maestro’s personal life.
Tragically, Felicia Montealegre passed away in 1978 at the age of 56, succumbing to lung cancer. Jamie Bernstein suggested that the strain of staying married to Leonard Bernstein might have contributed to her early demise, stating, “I feel like it cost her everything to stick with it. It was really tough for her, and I think it contributed to her early death, in a way.”
“Maestro” is set to hit theaters on Nov. 22, followed by its premiere on Netflix on Dec. 20, offering audiences a nuanced exploration of Leonard Bernstein’s life, relationships, and the challenges he and his wife faced in navigating a complex reality.