Porgy and Bess was performed several times during the 20th century, however George Gershwin’s greatest masterpiece will be stage–for the first time–as an operatic production with Lyric Opera of Chicago, as part of it’s 54th season repertoire.
Porgy and Bess was performed several times during the 20th century, however George Gershwin’s greatest masterpiece will be staged–for the first time–as an operatic production with Lyric Opera of Chicago, as part of its 54th season repertoire.
The opera plays at the Lyric beginning November 18.
Porgy and Bess emerged as a tremendous Black love story between a crippled man named Porgy and a licentious girl known as Bess, who dwelled among the Gullah people in the community of Catfish Row in Charleston, S.C.
Gershwin became interested in the art of jazz while associating with Black musicians living in Harlem and included their ethnic idioms in the musical elements of his compositions. He became interested in writing a Black musical after reading the novel Porgy written by Du Bose Heyward in 1922.
Porgy premiered on Broadway as a play in 1927, and Gershwin’s masterpiece was created and featured as a musical drama in 1935 with Ann Brown, soprano, and Todd Duncan, bass-baritone, appearing in title roles.
While composing Porgy and Bess, Gershwin spent time in Charleston, and particularly around the shore he called Catfish Row and Kittiwah Island where some former slaves had migrated, fished and enjoyed picnics. Their lifestyle was incorporated into his production.
Since its 1935 premier, there were two productions in 1942, then there were European productions from 1943 to 1950 with several white vocalists performing. A European tour featured in the 50s included performances in La Scala, Moscow that was historic. The tour continued into Latin America and the Middle East. Principal cast members included Leontyne Price, William Warfield, Cab Calloway and Maya Angelou.
In the 60s and 70s, Porgy and Bess languished because of bitter race criticism from prominent Black artists such as Duke Ellingon who said, “the times are here to debunk Gershwin’s lampblack Negoisms.” The Negro Repertory Company of Seattle planned its production of Porgy and Bess by the Federal Theater Project, however it was cancelled because the cast disagreed with aspects of Black lifestyles and the cast speaking in dialect. Actor Harry Belafonte refused to appear as Porgy in the movie version of the musical, and Sidney Poitier was offered the role but refused to participate in the production.
Regardless of the early racial controversy, Porgy and Bess survived and emerged as a critically acclaimed opera.
Ultimately, Porgy and Bess emerged as one of the most significant operas created.
Gordon Hawkins and Lester Lynch each star in the title role of Porgy, on specific performance nights. Morenike Fadayomi and Lisa Daltirus share the title role of Bess.
Porgy and Bess runs at the Lyric Opera Chicago through December 19.
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