Porgy and Bess is an English-language opera composed in 1934 by George Gershwin, with a libretto written by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin from Heyward's novel Porgy and later play of the same title. Porgy and Bess was first performed in Boston on September 30, 1935, and featured an entire cast of classically trained African-American singers—a daring artistic choice at the time. After suffering from an initially unpopular public reception due in part to its racially charged theme, the Houston Grand Opera production of the opera in 1976 gained it new popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed operas.
Librettist | DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin |
Tempo | Moderato e dolce |
Date of composition | 1935 (1934-1935) in Charleston, SC, United States |
Premiered | 1935, September 30th in New York, NY, United States |
First published | 1935, George Gershwin Music in New York, NY, United States |
Type | Opera |
Tonality | A Minor |
Approx. duration | 65 minutes |
Spoken language | English |
Instruments |
Voice (Bass-Baritone)
- Porgy, a disabled beggar
Voice (Soprano) - Bess, Crown's girl Voice (Baritone) - Bess, Crown's girl Voice (Tenor) - Sportin' Life, a dope peddler Voice (Tenor) - Robbins, an inhabitant of Catfish Row Voice (Soprano) - Serena, Robbins' wife Voice (Baritone) - Jake, a fisherman Voice (Soprano) - Clara, Jake's wife Voice (Contralto) - Maria, keeper of the cook-shop Voice (Tenor) - Mingo Voice (Tenor) - Peter, the honeyman Voice (Soprano) - Lily, Peter's wife Voice (Baritone) - Frazier, a black "lawyer" Voice (Mezzo-Soprano) - Annie Voice (Mezzo-Soprano) - Strawberry woman Voice (Baritone) - Jim, a cotton picker Voice (Baritone) - Undertaker Voice (Tenor) - Nelson Voice (Tenor) - Crab man Voice (Tenor) - Scipio, a small boy Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Mr. Archdale, a white lawyer Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Detective Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Policeman Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Coroner Chorus/Choir |
In listings |
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Famous Works
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Autotranslations beta |
George Gershwin: Porgy and Bess en la mineur George Gershwin: Porgy and Bess in la minore George Gershwin: Porgy and Bess a-moll |