In pictures: Netflix Bernstein biopic starring Bradley Cooper uses Ely Cathedral for shoot

Hollywood star Bradley Cooper was at Ely Cathedral filming scenes for his latest movie, Bernstein, a biopic of famed American composer Leonard Bernstein.

Crews and trucks were seen unpacking equipment and the whole cathedral was illuminated in the evening with huge lighting rigs. The IMDb (Internet Movie Database) website also lists Cooper as the film’s director and co-writer, along with Josh Singer.

Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer and Sarah Silverman are set to appear in the Netflix production, while Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg are listed as producers of the film, previously titled Maestro. Ely Cathedral was being used as the movie – set for release next year – was recreating Bernstein’s famous concert film of Mahler’s Second Symphony, which was shot at the cathedral in 1973. Around 300 extras were also seen on site.

Filming to recreate the concert took place inside the cathedral last Thursday and Friday (October 20-21) from around 6pm to approximately 3am. Then, on Saturday night, a scene was observed being shot featuring Carey Mulligan, who plays Bernstein’s wife Felicia Montealegre, as a passenger in a black Mercedes ‘arriving’ at the concert, which Bradley Cooper, who was not in costume at that point, was seen directing.

A photographer who was on site told the Cambridge Independent: “It was one of the biggest productions I’ve seen in Ely. I’ve seen a few films made there over the years and they’ve never been as big as this.” He added that members of the public were also outside watching and that cars from the 1970s were spotted parked in nearby driveways in order to add authenticity.

The filming came as the movie nears completion. Scenes have also been filmed in New York City and the shoot is expected to conclude this week and next at Shepperton Studios in Surrey. Ely Cathedral is no stranger to actors and film crews, with previous films and TV programmes made there including Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Crown, and The King’s Speech.

[Read more: Worship & Glory display at Ely Cathedral gets to the point of needlework, In pictures: Cast of Grantchester seen filming in the Cambridgeshire village]

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was a conductor, composer, pianist, author and humanitarian. He was appointed to his first permanent conducting post in 1943, as assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic. Also in 1943, Bernstein substituted on a few hours’ notice for the ailing Bruno Walter at a Carnegie Hall concert, which was broadcast nationally on radio, receiving critical acclaim. Soon orchestras worldwide sought him out as a guest conductor.