Porgy and Bess: An American Folk Opera
The Gershwins and The Heywards Created A Masterpiece
Jul 20, 2009
As the story goes, George Gershwin was so inspired by Heyward's new novel titled Porgy, that he called Heyward in the wee hours of the morning to suggest they collaborate on a musical version of the novel.
Nearly seven years elapsed as Heyward and his wife Dorothy adapted the novel for the highly successful Theatre Guild stage play before Gershwin began the actual composition of the music for Porgy and Bess. Spending months in and about Charleston, South Carolina, Gershwin immersed himself into the atmosphere of the city and James Island where many of the Gullah Negroes preserved their old traditions and songs.
The Birth of Porgy and Bess
Complete with lyrics by DuBose Heyward and his brother Ira Gershwin and libretto by DuBose Heyward, a three hour version of Porgy and Bess opened at the Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts on September 30, 1935 to a wildly enthusiastic audience. Two weeks later at the Alvin Theatre in New York City, the company received a crushing disappointment after mixed reviews from the well-known critics of the day stifled the previous enthusiasm. The show ran for 124 performances.
George Gershwin died in 1936 without knowing of the great success his folk opera would receive in later years. Nevertheless, Porgy and Bess assured immortality for Gershwin. In 1940 Cheryl Crawford revived Porgy and Bess, made some important changes, and the shows enjoyed international acclaim. Today, Porgy and Bess continues to be one of America’s most revered operas.
Los Angeles Philharmonic Presents Porgy and Bess
The Los Angeles Philharmonic recently presented a stunning four act performance of Porgy and Bess which they based on the 2006 concert performance given by John Mauceri and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Bramwell Tovey, and accompanied by the Pacific Chorale under the direction of Artistic Director John Alexander, the 18–member opera company received numerous ovations from nearly 9000 audience members at the world-renowned Hollywood Bowl.
Catfish Row Is the Setting for Porgy and Bess
Catfish Row is a fictitious Black neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina and the locale for Porgy and Bess circa 1930. The residents of this small fishing community include such characters as Porgy (Alfred Walker), Bess (Marquita Lister), Crown (Gregg Baker), Serena (Lisa Daltirus), Clara (Nicole Cabell), Maria (Gwendolyn Brown), Jake (Leon Williams), Sportin’ Life (Jermaine Smith), Mingo/Nelson/Crab Man (Calvin Ellis Lee), and Peter (Ashley Faatoalia), among other memorable characters.
Memorable Songs from Porgy and Bess
“Summertime an' the livin’ is easy…”
Gershwin introduces the opera with dancing and a craps game going on in the background. Clara (Nicole Cabell) enters and sings “Summertime” as she rocks her child to sleep. Cabell’s award-winning soprano voice was impeccable as it resonated throughout the mid-summer night ambiance at the Hollywood Bowl. “A Woman Is A Sometime Thing” sung by Jake (Leon Williams) follows as he also makes an attempt to sing their baby to sleep.
In the Los Angeles Philharmonic version, Porgy (Alfred Walker) is not a cripple confined to a board on wheels for mobility. Porgy joins the crap game as does Crown (Gregg Baker) who brings his girlfriend Bess (Marguita Lister) with him to the crap game. When Crown loses, he attacks and kills Robbins. Crown flees but Bess remains behind, rebuking Sportin’ Life’s attempts to lure her away to New York..
Serena's Lament “Gone, Gone, Gone…”
Shunned by the onlookers, Bess was taken in by Porgy just as police arrived to investigate Robbins’ death. Serena (Lisa Daltirus) and her neighbors mourn her slain husband as they sing “Gone, Gone, Gone” the call and response spiritual. Serena's show stopper “My Man’s Gone Now, is the perfect vehicle for Lisa Daltirus, an internationally acclaimed operatic star. Her intense interpretation of Gershwin’s heartfelt lyrics received a thunderous ovation.
Porgy's Show Stoppers “Oh I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ and "Bess You Is My Woman"
On the day of the big picnic Porgy sings his infamous “I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’” after Clara and Jake invite Bess to the picnic. Bess who has moved in with Porgy is reluctant to go and in their moving’ duet Porgy and Bess sing “Bess You Is My Woman.” Act II ends as Bess leaves for the picnic on Kittiwah Island.
Sportin’ Life (Jermaine Smith) makes his big entrance with “It Ain’t Necessarily So.” Crown (Gregg Baker), who has been hiding out on the island since murdering Robbins, pulls Bess aside where she remains with him for several days.
Bess returns to Porgy's home where she feigns illness. During a raging storm there's a knock on the door. It’s Crown, coming for Bess. Baker’s raucous rendition of “A Red Headed Woman” brings the Hollywood Bowl audience alive with appreciation. Crown insults Porgy’s manhood and then leaves to assist Clara after hearing that Jake’s boat has tipped over in the storm. Later the next day, Crown attempts to sneak back into Catfish Row but is intercepted by Porgy and killed.
Sportin' Life's “There’s A Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon For New York”
Sportin’ Life entices Bess to leave with him after convincing her that Porgy will spend time in jail after he is taken away by police to identify Crown’s body. Sportin' Life's “There’s A Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon For New York” is sung with the same deceptive ease that made Gershwin’s character one of the most popular characters in the annals of American theatre.
The opera ends with a Symphony of Sounds perpetrated by the Pacific Chorale and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Porgy returns to Catfish Row and finds that Bess has left him for Sportin’ Life. A jilted and pathetic Porgy vows to find her in his heartfelt finale “Lawd, I’m On My Way.”
For more information regarding performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, please visit their website at http://www.laphil.org
