"Maria" is a song from the 1957 Broadway musical West Side Story, sung by the lead character Tony. The music was written by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The song was published in 1956.
"Maria" is sung by the male lead Tony when he learns the name of the girl he's fallen in love with is "Maria". The name "Maria" is spoken or sung in the song 30 times. The song was originally composed in E-flat major (following an 8 bar introduction in B major). In the 1961 and 2021 film adaptations, both introduction and chorus were lowered by a whole step.
The song is widely known for its use of the melodic interval of a tritone in the main theme. The song is an example of the use of Lydian mode, which is the same as the major scale but with a raised 4th, giving the tritone characteristic of this piece.
Cover versions
Beto Sargentelli
Peter Alexander
Alfie Boe
Andrea Bocelli
Jimmy Bryant - provided Tony's singing voice in the 1961 film
José Carreras
Dave Brubeck – featured in Silver Linings Playbook
Matt Cavenaugh
George Chakiris
Perry Como
Michael Crawford – in a medley of West Side Story songs
Vic Damone
Plácido Domingo
Jeff Duff
Ansel Elgort – played Tony in the 2021 film
Maynard Ferguson
Sergio Franchi – on his 1964 RCA Victor Red Seal album Women in My Life
Marvin Gaye
The Gods
Karel Gott
Josh Groban
David Habbin
Jay and the Americans
Udo Jürgens
Ramin Karimloo
Stan Kenton
Larry Kert – original artist, he performed as Tony in the Broadway play
Luis Mariano
Johnny Mathis
Matt Monro
Julian Ovenden
Gene Pitney
P.J. Proby
Buddy Rich
Peter Tevis
Sarah Vaughan
Mark Vincent
Il Volo
Steve Watson
Andy Williams
Roger Williams
Vittorio Grigolo
Ben Platt
Jeremy Jordan
Peter Cousens
Ryan McCartan
It was also sampled in the song "Almost Like Praying" by Lin-Manuel Miranda.