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George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera

Sep. 01, 2019

George Gershwin's <em>Porgy and Bess</em> at the Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera opens its 2019-2020 season with a new production of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess with performances running from September 23 through February 1. A co-production with the English National Opera and the Dutch National Opera, the Metropolitan Opera's production is the first ever to use the definitive performance edition prepared under the auspices of the University of Michigan's Gershwin Initiative. The Met production is directed by James Robinson, conducted by David Robertson, and features Eric Owens and Angel Blue in the leading roles.


(Rehearsal of Porgy and Bess at The Metropolitan Opera) 

Set in Charleston, South Carolina, Porgy and Bess tells the story of a disabled beggar, Porgy, who is trying to create a home for himself and his lover, Bess. The American classic includes a number of well-known arias including “Summertime,” “Bess, You is My Woman Now,” and “I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin.”


(James Robinson, Eric Owens, and Angel Blue Discuss Porgy and Bess)
 
In anticipation of this spectacular new production, a number of exciting events are planned. On August 18, cast members Leah Hawkins and Ryan Speedo Green performed excerpts from Porgy and Bess at the YMCA stage as part of Harlem Week. On September 9, The New York Public Library's Performing Arts Library and The Metropolitan Opera joined forces for an evening of music, performance, and conversation exploring the history of the Gershwins’ American classic. The Guggenheim's "Works and Process" series hosts members of the Porgy and Bess cast and creative team on September 16, which is followed by a performance and panel discussion with Peter Gelb, Angel Blue, and Eric Owens at Temple Emanu-El the next day. The final dress rehearsal takes place on September 19, with an on-stage Q&A with the artists for a student audience following the rehearsal. To mark the long-awaited return of George and Ira Gershwin's Porgy and Bess the Metropolitan Opera and Film at Lincoln Center presents a panel discussion and special screening of Otto Preminger’s rarely-seen 1959 film adaptation, which stars Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge in the title roles. And the following day, Film at Lincoln Center presents the Vincente Minnelli-directed classic, An American in Paris.

For those fans who aren't inside the Metropolitan Opera on opening night, Porgy and Bess will be screened live on multiple screens in Times Square.

Finally, on February 1, there will be a global "Live in HD" screening of the MET's matinee performance.

For more information on George Gershwin, visit schott-music.com.

George Gershwin
Porgy and Bess (1935)
an opera in three acts
libretto (Eng) by DuBose Heyward
lyrics by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin
founded on the play “Porgy” by Dorothy and DuBose Heyward
for 4 sopranos, 2 mezzo-soprano, alto, boy soprano, 6 tenors, 5 baritones, bass-baritone, speaking roles and chorus
2(2.pic).2(2.ca).3(3.,3.asax).bcl(tsax).1-3.3.2.1-timp.perc-pno.banjo-str (on stage: pno)
180’

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