Legendary American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim has criticised Lady Gaga's Oscars performance, where she treated ceremony-goers and viewers alike to a medley of songs from the iconic film, 'The Sound Of Music'. 

Speaking to Britain's The Times newspaper, Sondheim explained that he thought her renditions of the well-loved songs such as 'Edelweiss' and 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain' were 'ridiculous':

"On the Academy Awards she was a travesty. It was ridiculous, as it would be from any singer who treats that music in semi-operatic style. She had no relationship to what she was singing. What people liked was her versatility."

Julie Andrews, who played Maria in 'The Sound Of Music', recently spoke out in praise of Gaga's Academy Awards performance and told People magazine that she was touched by the stunning tribute: "I was deeply honoured by the Academy's lovely tribute to The Sound of Music, and especially touched by Lady Gaga's wonderful performance. I have always been a fan, but last night we bonded and now I have a new friend."

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Watch Gaga's Oscars performance in full here: