75 years ago today, a great American opera Porgy and Bess opened. I am a fan of the opera, and it is a surprise to me to find how many people do not know about it or the great music in the opera. So, in this week’s post, I hope you enjoy a little history of and music recommendations from Porgy and Bess.
History
In 1926 George Gershwin read Porgy by DuBose Heyward, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and immediately wrote to the author suggesting that they collaborate on a folk opera based on the novel. Heyward was enthusiastic, but it was 1934 before Gershwin's composing and performing schedules permitted him to begin actual work on the project.
Written at the “Edge of America”, Folly Beach, located on a barrier island about ten miles from Charleston, Heyward and Gershwin would observe the Gullahs, an isolated group living on adjacent James Island, who became the prototypes of the Catfish Row residents. It was a happy collaboration as Heyward wrote the libretto and Ira Gershwin (George’s brother) and Heyward wrote the lyrics.
When it was finally completed in July, 1935, the 700 pages of music represented Gershwin’s most ambitious creation and his favorite composition. According to David Ewen, Gershwin's first biographer, he "never quite ceased to wonder at the miracle that he had been its composer. He never stopped loving each and every bar, never wavered in the conviction that he had produced a work of art."
Porgy and Bess was George Gershwin's longest and most ambitious creation, but it was not truly successful during his lifetime. Some of the songs had achieved popularity before Gershwin's death in 1937, but the work earned real approval and favor only after the 1940 Theater Guild presentation of a slightly revised version.
For years it was performed more frequently in Europe, where it was considered a true American opera, than in America. It is probably the only opera using 1920's and 30's jazz that has survived past the post-World War II period, when composers began to use jazz satirically.
The work was not widely accepted in the United States as a legitimate opera until 1976, when the Houston Grand Opera production of Gershwin's complete score established it as an artistic triumph. Nine years later the Metropolitan Opera gave their first performance of the work. This production was also broadcast as part of the ongoing Saturday afternoon live Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts. The work is now considered part of the standard operatic repertoire and is regularly performed internationally.
The Story
Set in the early 1900s in the fictional Catfish Row section of Charleston, South Carolina, which serves as home to a black fishing community, the story focuses on the titular characters, crippled beggar Porgy, who travels about in a goat-drawn cart, and the drug-addicted Bess, who lives with stevedore Crown, the local bully.
While high on cocaine, supplied by drug dealer Sportin' Life, Crown kills another community member, Robbins, during a fight prompted by a dice game, and Bess urges him to flee. Sportin' Life suggests she accompany him to New York City, an offer Bess declines. She seeks refuge with her neighbors, all of whom refuse to help her. Porgy finally agrees to let her stay with him.
Bess and Porgy settle into domestic life together. During a church picnic on Kittiwah Island, Sportin' Life once again approaches Bess, but Porgy warns him to leave her alone. Crown, who has been hiding in the woods on the island, confronts Bess. She initially struggles to resist him but eventually succumbs to his advances and allows Crown to carry her off.
Two days later, Bess returns to Catfish Row in a state of delirium. When she recovers, she realizes she betrayed Porgy and begs his forgiveness. She admits she is unable to resist Crown and asks Porgy to protect her from him.
Crown eventually returns to claim his woman, and when he draws his knife, Porgy strangles him. He is detained by the police merely to identify the body, but Sportin' Life, who has fed Bess cocaine, convinces her Porgy inadvertently will reveal himself to be the murderer. In her drugged state, she finally accepts his offer to take her to New York. When Porgy returns and discovers she is gone, he sets off to find her.
The Music
Rather than talk about all of the music in Porgy and Bess, I want to share with you my top three favorite songs and recommendations for different versions worth checking out. The versions with ** represent my personal favorites.
Summertime
Probably the most recognized song from the opera, and recorded in a record-breaking 15,000 versions. In September 1936, a recording by Billie Holiday was the first to hit the national pop charts at # 12. Other notable recordings include those by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald in 1957, Gene Vincent in 1958, Sam Cooke in 1961, and Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company on the 1968 album Cheap Thrills. The most commercially successful version was by Billy Stewart, who reached # 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. The song also had a reemergence in the 2000’s thanks to Fantasia’s performance on American Idol.
Check out the versions by:
It Ain’t Necessarily So
Sung by Sportin' Life, the drug dealer, who expresses his doubt about several statements in the Bible. The song has been covered a number of times during the rock era by artist such as The Moody Blues, The Honeycombs, Cher, Cab Calloway, and Jamie Cullum. It is most notably sung by Aretha Franklin and Bobby Darin. Sting also recorded a version.
Check out versions by:
I Loves You Porgy
The duet from Porgy and Bess, where Bess begs Porgy not to let Crown take her away. This song has also been recorded as a solo number by a number of popular vocalists and jazz musicians, most notably Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and Bill Evans. Nina Simone's recording of the song was a Top 40 hit in the United States in 1958. There are six different versions of the song in the Grammy Hall of Fame. This is the pinnacle song from the opera for me. It is my favorite, so you can see why the ** are on all of the recommendations.
Check out versions by
You may have noticed each one of my recommendations includes music from former Beach Boy Brian Wilson. I highly recommend you check out Brian’s new CD Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin. It has great covers in the Beach Boy style of some of the most notable Gershwin songs.
So there you have it readers, all about Porgy and Bess, a masterpiece that has been influencing people for 75 years. Have you ever heard all music of Porgy and Bess? What opera do you enjoy? Until next time…
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