GP no Met: Porgy and Bess Two Gershwins ~ About to Opera | Great Performances | bps (2023)

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season 14 ofGreat performances at the Metkeep goingFriday, July 17 at 9:00 p.m. on PBS(check local directories) with the Gershwin VolksoperPorgy and Bess of the Gershwins.eric owensyblue AngelStar as the likable duo Porgy and Bess in this prime time production. All-Star Set Featureswalking alfredolike a crown,Federico Ballentinlike sports life,latonia mooreals Serena,golden schultzlike Klara youSingle Donovanlike Jake.david robertsonGuides.

james robinsonThe production of is set in the 1920s in Catfish Row, a housing neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina, and begins with the residents relaxing after a day of work. Drug dealer Sportin' Life, Jake and some of the other men meet to play dice under the disapproving gaze of the religious Serena. The disabled beggar Porgy arrives and is about to join the game when Crown and his partner Bess appear. Drunk and high, Crown loses, starts a fight and kills Robbins, Serena's husband. Before the police arrive, Crown runs off to hide, telling Bess that he will be back for her. Sportin' Life offers to take Bess to New York, but she refuses. Only Porgy is sympathetic to Bess; he offers her shelter and protection, which she accepts. A collection is made to cover the cost of the funeral, and Bess offers Serena a contribution, which she declines, believing it must be Crown money. Serena finally agrees and realizes that the money is Porgy's.

A month later, Sportin' Life walks in, but before he has a chance to sell his "lucky powder," Maria, the matriarch of Catfish Row, chases him away. Sportin' Life asks Bess to return to New York with him and tries to get her more drugs, which she refuses. Porgy threatens Sportin' Life and drives him away; he and Bess reflect on his happiness. That night, Crown, who has been hiding on the island since Robbins' murder, calls Bess. He wants Bess to come with him, but she explains that she now has a new life with Porgy. Crown forces her to stay with him. A week later, despite the storm warning, the fishermen set out for a day's work at sea, and Bess can be heard talking her head off from Porgy's room. Serena prays for Bess's recovery and her prayers are answered when Bess walks into the yard without a fever. She explains to Porgy that she wants to stay with him, but when Crown returns, she will be forced to go back to him.

When a hurricane hits, everyone in Serena's room comes together to pray for relief from the storm. At the height of the storm, Clara sees Jake's boat capsize and runs off to rescue her husband. Bess tells one of the men to go after her and Crown responds. The women mourn the lost, including Jake, Clara, and possibly Crown. Under the cover of darkness, Crown appears and approaches Porgy's door. Porgy is ready for him and kills him instantly. The detectives, accompanied by the coroner, return to Catfish Row to investigate Crown's murder. They go to Porgy's room and tell him that he needs to come with them and identify Crown's body. Horrified by looking at Crown's face, Porgy refuses to leave, but is dragged away. Taking advantage of Porgy's absence, Sportin' Life tries to convince Bess that Porgy will go to jail for the crime and he tries to lure her into a new life. A week later, Porgy returns from prison in a jubilant mood, handing out gifts that he bought with the money he earned playing dice in prison. He calls Bess and learns that while in prison, Bess went to New York with Sportin' Life. Now Porgy has a decision to make.audra mcdonaldHost.

Historical context and production approach:

• Porgy and Bess is a 1935 opera by American composer George Gershwin with a libretto by author DuBose Heyward and lyricist Ira Gershwin. It was adapted from Dorothy Heyward and DuBose Heyward's play Porgy, which itself is an adaptation of DuBose Heyward's 1925 novel of the same name.

• This MetOpera production takes a new approach to an intricate masterpiece that has been criticized for its African-American stereotypes since its debut in 1935. The setting, Catfish Row, a neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina, is now a thriving working-class community and united where everyone is doing their best to make ends meet., instead of an abandoned slum.

• Great Performances at The Met: The GershwinsPorgy und bess contains the original 1935 book, words and music with a new production by director James Robinson, who says, "The residents of Catfish Row are an integral part of everything that goes on with all the other characters. You'll learn how this community works "It's a very religious community, they're united by their faith. Every individual in this Catfish Row community, every choir member, has a story."

• Regarding the charactersGreat Performances at The Met: The GershwinsPorgy und bessDirector James Robinson said: "We have to treat these people with great dignity and take them seriously. When they become caricatures, it just seems wrong," in an interview withThe New York Times dies.

• For more information on the history and context of the Met Opera production ofPorgy & Bess de Los GershwinCheck out these resources:

• • Met Opera'sGershwin Porgyybessguide for educators
  • Met Opera: American Experience
  • Met Opera: Black Voices at the Met

short list
Enjoy American folk opera set in Charleston in the 1920s to a classic score by George Gershwin.

Long list
Enjoy this classic American folk opera that brings 1920s Charleston to life with a popular score by George Gershwin in a new production directed by James Robinson. Eric Owens and Angel Blue star in the lead roles and David Robertson directs.

notable talent

• Eric Owens - Porgy
• Blue Angel - Bess
• Alfred Walker – Corona
• Frederick Ballentine - Sporting Life
• Latonia Moore – Of course
• Golda Schultz – Clara
• Denyce GravesMaria
• Singletary de Donovan - Jake
• Audra McDonald – Presenter

Duration:3 hours

production credits

• David Robertson – Manager
• Gary Halvorson - Director
• James Robinson – Production
• Camille A. Brown – Choreography
• Catherine Zuber – costume designer
• Donald Holder - Lighting Designer
• Luke Halls - Projection Designer
• David Leong - Fight Director
• David Horn – Executive Producer,Great achievements

For the Met, Gary Halvorson directs the TV show. David Frost is a music producer. Mia Bongiovanni and Elena Park are supervising producers, and Louisa Briccetti and Victoria Warivochik are producers. Peter Gelb is executive producer. ToGreat achievements, Bill O'Donnell is a series producer; David Horn is executive producer.

insurer

commercial support forGreat performances at the Metis provided by Toll Brothers, America's Luxury Home Builders®. Principal funding is provided by The Sybil B. Harrington Endowment Fund and M. Beverly and Robert G Bartner. ThisGreat performances at the MetThe presentation is funded by the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Arts Fund, Ellen and James S. Marcus, Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Jody and John Arnhold and public viewers.

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