The Gershwins’
Porgy and Bess
july 20, 25, & 27, 2019 | 7:30 PM
july 28, 2019 | 3:00 PM
Music Hall
Music by George Gershwin
Libretto by DuBose and Dorothy Heyward and Ira Gershwin
Sung in English with projected lyrics
Performance Length: 3 hours, including 1 intermission
Rated PG-13 for mature themes
Rise up singing.
All was forgiven. The past was done. They had each other, and they were happy. Morning time and evening time, summertime and wintertime… In each others’ arms, they found peace and unexpected, if fleeting refuge.
For only the second time ever, Cincinnati Opera will present the Gershwins’ great American opera Porgy and Bess on the Music Hall stage. Replete with hits including “Summertime” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” and a touching story of love and perseverance in adversity, it will be presented in a “vibrant” (Chicago Tribune) production by star director Francesca Zambello with costumes by the Tony Award-winning Hamilton costume designer, Paul Tazewell. Grammy-nominated soprano Talise Trevigne makes her company debut as Bess with a voice that’s “high and rich and round“ (Washington Post). Bass Morris Robinson, praised for singing with “an extraordinary blend of power and fluidity” (San Francisco Chronicle), leads the cast as Porgy.
Reviews
Cincinnati Enquirer
“So American, musically magnificent, and still very current.” Read the review.
Cincinnati Business Courier
"Powerful, believable, and ultimately breathtaking.” Read the review.
CityBeat
"The tight-knit community of diverse, realistic characters and their many joys and tragedies is as relatable as it is lively.” Read the review.
Gallery
Cast & Creative Team
Porgy Morris Robinson
Bess Talise Trevigne
Crown Nmon Ford
Sportin’ Life Frederick Ballentine
Clara Janai Brugger
Jake Reginald Smith, Jr.
Serena Indra Thomas
Maria La’Shelle Allen
Mingo Ernest Jackson
Robbins/Crab Man Larry D. Hylton
Peter Tifton Graves
Jim Phillip Bullock
Undertaker Nathaniel Thompson
Annie Tammie Woods
Nelson Darian Clonts
Strawberry Woman Brittany Logan
Lily Gabriella Sam
Conductor David Charles Abell
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Original Production Francesca Zambello
Stage Director Garnett Bruce
Scenic Designer Peter J. Davison
Costume Designer Paul Tazewell
Lighting Designer Mark McCullough
Wig & Make-up Designer James Geier
Chorus Master Henri Venanzi
Original Choreography Eric Sean Fogel
Choreographer Eboni Adams
Fight Director Gina Cerimele-Mechley
Scenery originally created for Glimmerglass Festival & Seattle Opera. Costumes from Washington National Opera.
Meet the composer
George Gershwin
George Gershwin was one of the most significant American composers of the 20th century, known for popular stage and screen numbers as well as classical compositions.
Life is a lot like jazz—it’s best when you improvise.
Learn More
Opera Insights
Enhance your Porgy and Bess knowledge with a pre-curtain lecture one hour before each performance in Music Hall's Corbett Tower. Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, provides overviews and insights into the opera's history, music, and production. Free to all ticket holders. No reservations required.
