Going to see Porgy and Bess on Wednesday. Excited!
I’ve never seen it. I know plenty of the songs but I know them through jazz interpretations. I’ve never heard them performed as “Gershwin Opera”. Beyond these songs, I am a Gershwin fan in general but, again, I know the songs through jazz singers and band leaders along with Hollywood Musical interpretations.
So, this won’t be entirely unfamiliar but it will also be a new experience.
Any fans?
Has anyone seen this new production?
Oh, here’s a good question: The word Opera is often attached to this show. Do actual Opera enthusiasts recognize it as an Opera or do they consider it to just be bombastic Musical Theatre? I have never been to the Opera. After I’ve gone to this performance do I get to say that I’ve been to an Opera or not?
It is often performed by opera companies today, although that wasn’t true when it came out - there were “issues” with putting black performers on a white stage, along with some snobbery about operas not being able to be either modern or American. The northern-white view of southern blacks that the Gershwins had, typical for the time, can be uncomfortable today, though. The new production going around addresses that to some degree by reimagining “Plenty of Nothin’,” aka the Happy Darky Song, along the lines of “I’m getting laid these days” instead. The story structure is also not very tight. But you’ll enjoy it, I’m sure.
There is no accepted clear line defining musicals and operas separately, although musicals typically have far more spoken dialogue between musical numbers. Say you went to the opera and nobody can argue with you much, though, even if it’s a theatre-group production.
Now, are you sure you’re not seeing the Warner Brothers cartoon Porky And Bess?
“B’da’b’da’b’da-Bess, you is my woman m’ne’m’ne’m’now…”
(I can’t take the credit. It’s a one-panel cartoon in my Opera for Dummies book.)
Lucky you. I would love to see a modern production of this show. I have both the Armstrong/Fitzgerald and Charles/Laine versions in my collection, but have never seen the show live.
I am an opera enthusiast. It’s an opera.
Have fun – it’s a great show.
I’ve seen many operas, and *Porgy and Bess *is definitely one . . . in fact Gershwin considered it a “folk opera.” The best I’ve seen was by the Houston Grand Opera, back in the 70s, starring Donnie Ray Albert and Clamma Dale. It moved to Broadway and won a Tony and a Grammy.
I’m also a fan of Operetta, and P&B is way too serious to be one.
Well, I loved it. Saw it Wednesday but didn’t have a chance to post yesterday.
I went with a friend who had studied it in depth as a vocal student. She provided some good insight into the adaptation. Despite having studied it, this was her first time seeing it performed, she loved it too. We had fun arguing about the ending.
Beautifully performed. Wonderful experience.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, but mostly I’m just here to say that “Bess, You Is My Thread Topic Now” might well be my all-time-favorite thread title. 
“Summertime” is one of the all-time greats.
Back in the day, I once made a mix-tape of every version of “Summertime” I owned. I think the final total was 17 different versions. I think the tape began with Cleo Laine and ended with Janis Joplin.
“Summertime” is, indeed, a great song, especially when it’s performed well. However, in the jazz world it is WAY overdone. I’m a jazz singer, and I kind of cringe when I see that song title…and I know a lot of instrumentalists who feel the same way. grin
“Summertime” was extremely powerful in the two reprises (because of the dramatic context).
