Ronald E. Bornstein
American Democracy, Elections and Politics in Popular Song
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Summary
Long before Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton rocked onto the stage in the 21st century, other Americans wrote musicals and songs addressing democracy, elections, and politics. Among them were George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock, Sherman Edwards, and Stephen Sondheim. Ron Bornstein will discuss these figures and their works and share some surprising and entertaining tunes rarely heard today that present enduring issues.
Ronald E. Bornstein
Ronald E. Bornstein is an international lawyer who has practiced in New York, Paris, San Francisco, and London (where he currently resides). He is a member of Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, and a Lifetime Member of the Pacific Pension & Investment Institute (PPI). He was a Ford Foundation Fellow at the Academy of International Law at The Hague and a visiting Fulbright Professor at the University of Dakar. Ron holds a BS (econ) degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and a JD degree from its Law School.
Ron grew up in Manhattan and is a life long student of the “Great American Songbook” and American music from 1920 to 1970. He is also a Patron of the Musée d’Orsay and the British Museum where he sponsored its recent exhibition, “French Impressions: Prints from Manet to Cezanne”.