Home>>Life
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, November 20, 2001

American Opera "Porgy and Bess" to Premiere in Beijing

George Gershwin's world renowned opera "Porgy and Bess", will premiere in Beijing on December 2. Based on the Dubose Heyward's novel, the story tells how the cripple Porgy and beautiful Bess fall in love with each other and lead a peaceful yet happy life.


PRINT IT DISCUSS IT CHINESE SEND TO FRIENDS


  • The Love Story of Porgy and Bess
    • George Gershwin's world renowned opera "Porgy and Bess", will premiere in Beijing on December 2. Based on the Dubose Heyward's novel, the story tells how the cripple Porgy and beautiful Bess fall in love with each other and lead a peaceful yet happy life. Porgy killed Bess' former lover while defending their love. Bess is seduced by a dope pusher and resumes her career as a prostitute.

    According to the organizer, well-known American opera singers of African origin including Elizabeth Graham and Stephen Finch will take part in the performance. The Symphony Orchestra of Hungary will be invited on stage for on-the-spot accompaniment.

  • About The "Porgy and Bess" Opera
    • George Gershwin, entitled "Mozart of the 20th century", mixed the musical styles of black folk songs, blues, jazz and 19th century's classic opera to produce the music of this opera. A large chorus and orchestra will take part to create a dramatic effect.

    "Porgy and Bess" was premiered in 1935 in New York and began a worldwide tour performance in 1993. Peter Blein, director of the troupe said when writing to the Chinese organizers, "this musical drama has won applause throughout the world, and we look forward to seeing its success in China."

    The performance is sponsored by Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Beijing Performance Arts Agency.







    Porgy and Bess

    Porgy and Bess, an opera written by George Gershwin (1898-1937) in collaboration with DuBose Heyward (1885-1940) and Gershwin's brother Ira (1896-1983), is the one American opera to become fully established in the international opera repertory as well as in the popular musical imagination. Its tunes have become standards for jazz improvisation, and the lullaby "Summertime" has by now achieved the status of a folk song.

    Porgy and Bess is based on DuBose Heyward's 1925 novel Porgy and on the 1927 Broadway play of the same name by DuBose and Dorothy Heyward. Gershwin sketched the opera in 1934 and prepared the orchestra score (its opening page shown here) from September 1934 to September 1935.




    		    Advanced