Opera Guide and Synopsis: Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin

The folk opera Porgy and Bess is based on the play Porgy by DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, which in turn is based on the 1926 novel Porgy by DuBose Heyward. The English libretto was written by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, with music by George Gershwin. It premiered in Boston on September 30, 1935.

While Porgy and Bess was not an immediate success-and was for decades not considered a "true" opera-it became popular in Europe in the early 1950s when it was performed by an all-Black cast, and is probably the most well-known American opera.

Characters in Porgy and Bess

• Porgy, a disabled man (Bass-baritone)
• Crown, a stevedore and bully (Baritone)
• Bess, his girl (Soprano)
• Jake, a fisherman (Baritone)
• Clara, his wife (Soprano)
• Robbins, an inhabitant of Catfish Row (Tenor)
• Serena, his wife (Soprano)
• Sportin' Life, a dope peddler (Tenor)
• Peter, the honeyman (Tenor)
• Undertaker (Baritone)

Synopsis of Porgy and Bess

The story takes place in the 1920s in Charleston, South Carolina.

Act I

Scene 1-Catfish Row

On a hot summer night, Clara sings a lullaby ("Summertime") to her baby while the men play craps. Porgy enters, and his friends tease him about his love for Bess. Crown joins the craps game; angry at his losses, he attacks and kills Robbins. He leaves Bess and goes into hiding. Sportin' Life tries to get Bess to flee to New York with him, but she refuses. The other inhabitants of Catfish Row reject Bess, but Porgy protects her.

Scene 2-Serena's Room

The neighbors gather money for Robbins' funeral. Porgy and Bess contribute, and Porgy leads the prayers. Serena mourns Robbins' death ("My Man's Gone Now"). White policemen enter and arrest Peter for the murder. The undertaker accepts the money for the funeral, although it is not enough.

Act II

Scene 1-One Month Later

Porgy is now living with Bess and expresses his happiness ("I Got Plenty o' Nuttin"). He buys a fake divorce for Bess, though she was never technically married to Crown. Sportin' Life tries to get Bess to go away with him again, but Porgy scares him off, and he and Bess express their love for each other ("Bess, you is my woman now"). Bess wishes to stay behind with Porgy, as he cannot go to the picnic, but he encourages he to have fun.

Scene 2-Kittiwah Island

At the picnic, Sportin' Life expresses his worldly wisdom ("It Ain't Necessarily So"). Crown comes out of hiding and tells Bess that he will come for her soon.

Scene 3-One Week Later

Bess finally regains consciousness after the others pray over her. She admits to Porgy that she promised to go back to Crown, but Porgy forgives her and vows to defend her.

Scene 4-Serena's Room

Crown comes for Bess during a terrible storm. Jake's boat overturns, and Crown goes to help while the others pray for mercy.

Act III

Scene 1-Catfish Row

Everyone believes that Clara, Jake and Crown have died in the storm, but Sportin' Life hints that Crown is still alive. While Bess sings to Clara's child, Crown creeps up to the house, but Porgy strangles him to death as he passes by the window.

Scene 2

A detective takes Porgy away for questioning in Crown's murder, and Sportin' Life once again tries to seduce Bess ("There's a Boat that's Leavin' Soon for New York).

Scene 3-One Week Later

Porgy has been released by the police, but returns home to learn that Bess has left with Sportin' Life for New York ("Oh, Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?"). He is determined to follow her, and the others help him ("Oh, Lawd, I'm on My Way").

Sources:

• Erb, Jane. "Porgy and Bess (1934)." From Classical Net.
• Simon, Henry W. 100 Great Operas and Their Stories. Garden City: Dolphin, 1960.