The historic saga of George Gershwin's immortal American opera is traced from the publication of DuBose Heyward's novel PORGY in 1924, continuing on to the opera's premiere in 1935 and the many legendary productions that followed through the decades. Kitty Carlisle Hart, Francis Gershwin Godowsky, and scholars share their insights and memories. Narrated by Ruby Dee, this documentary features many cast members in interviews and performance clips, including Leontyne Price, William Warfield, Maya Angelou, Diahann Carroll, Grace Bumbry, and Willard White.

GREAT PERFORMANCES on the Web honors America's premiere opera with a look back at the talented people responsible for its creation and many triumphant productions. In Behind the Scenes, writer John Ardoin reveals the opera's narrow escape from the musical comedy genre. In Meet the Artists, William Warfield, Porgy in the 1952 production, talks to Ardoin about the opera's place in America's musical and racial history, and biographies offer information on other artists featured in the documentary. In A Look at the Work, Ardoin discusses "Porgy"'s roots in the Charleston of DuBose Heyward's novel, and he examines George Gershwin's efforts to reach the pantheon of operatic greatness. Our Resources section provides a guide for further online exploration.

See a QuickTime movie of Maya Angelou discussing her experience touring Europe as Ruby in the 1953-54 production of "Porgy and Bess."

QuickTime movie, 2.2 MB. You will need the QuickTime plug-in  to view this movie.

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