For all of you Gershwin Affectionados, (and yes..you know who you are!) I finally ordered the new Blu Ray of Gershwins PORGY AND BESS, performed by the San Francisco Opera Company. I was truly looking forward to seeing PORGY performed live, on stage in full 1080P, 5.1 surround sound. Ive seen PORGY and BESS about six times in my lifetime, live, on stage, performed by different Opera companies. Due to legalitles, the Gershwin Estate has not allowed any production of PORGY to be released on video, [aside from the 1994 Simon Rattle Production..(which was filmed inside a studio)] until this year, when the San Francisco Opera company was allowed to release this live video production. In my opinion, this production is not very good. Sure, John DeMain is the musical director, and that is probably its only saving grace. Theyve edited out the famous PIANO PLAYING JAZZBO BROWN piano ballet that is normally played during the overture.. theyve edited the overture quite a bit, in fact..the CHORAL numbers in the production have been simplified quite a bit as well..these numbers sound pretty thin, that is; in comparison with other productions of PORGY that Ive seen. In fact, the entire production of PORGY is staged quite differently than any other Ive seen.. the set is completely different, the Choreography is different.. and above all, the production seems to lack the needed energy to represent Gershwin well.. Cmon folks.. this is GERSHWIN! I sure wish the actors showed some LIFE! Laquita Mitchell as BESS is ..well.. adequate. This lady sings very well, but.. whoa.. sometimes, she almost falls out of her dress.. tsk.. and Eric Owens as PORGY sings the role very well indeed, but he CHEATED.. PORGY is a CRIPPLED man, the role is normally sung entirely on the KNEES.. but THIS PORGY chose merely to use a crutch.. sigh.. and.. well.. the chemistry between the two is simply not there.. But the one redeeming value in the entire production is the GLORIOUS GERSHWIN MUSIC.. the MUSIC is the REAL star of this or any other production of PORGY.. which is WHY I truly appreciate being able to HEAR the entire production in terrific 5.1 SURROUND sound, and to see the production in High Definition! While the San Francisco Opera production of PORGY AND BESS is not very good..the New York City Opera, also under the direction of John DeMain, did a MUCH better production in 2002.. this is a CLASSIC production, very similar to the original 1976 Houston Grand Opera production, which is the FINEST production Ive ever seen. Here are a few selections from that 2002 production. of PORGY AND BESS.. I think Alvy Powell as PORGY and Marquita Lister as BESS are two of the BEST Performers in the roles that Ive ever seen..see what you think.. this is GLORIOUS GERSHWIN.. PORGY AND BESS is his MASTERPIECE.. !
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 06:18:13 +0000
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