Rattle's Porgy & Bess II

[ascl594]

Gorgeous! 

[ohsnapiam59]

Still gives me goosebumps.

[ThaSpiderInternetsho]

i love this play is so amazing!!! 

[berowne9]

Sheer perfection. What a gorgeous duet, what phenomenal singers. There's no greater proof than this that sublime art stirs something unique in the human soul.

[Judill]

@berowne9 Beautifully said. I couldn't agree more.

[zdevol7]

Nádhera - díky za ojedinělý zážitek - kráné hlasy!

[Crwthy]

One of the most beautiful love duets of all time. Turned out to perfection by Haymon and White.

[chantdonchant]

They are wonderful. It's too bad they were asked to lip sync their obviously prerecorded track. The unnatural "realism" of their acting undermines the strength of the music... the energy which a singer displays when really singing heightens the drama rather than detracting from it, as the director seems to think.

[Licreh]

These two are pretty awesome!

[4Rachy]

@madamerotten What an astute observation. This is a special synergy and beautiful, so beautiful...

[arpeggio1358]

White and Haymon are simply perfect here. I can't imagine a better version of this.

[havanatlc]

I played Oboe 1 in the Production of Porgy and Bess. I love this particular song. Wow quite a terriffic experience. This has been one of the most difficult pieces I have ever played and the most interesting. I think one of the greatest accomplishments of my career so far as an oboist.

[FMichaelHansonLaw]

This was an awesome piece of music. Thank you George!

[Largo64]

This was just beautiful!

[4Rachy]

What a gorgeous rendition. A coloratura soprano and a deep baritone (if not basso profundo ) duet. I did not know these two before. OK this is my favorite 'Bess'. Amazing.

[kisfaszzongorita]

you is:):)

[jjmm47]

nice high 'b' at the end

[Shallimarfox2]

Simply amazing to see and hear such GREATNESS come from such a GREAT and strong culture. I MISS cultured theatre and music.

[Frommerhold]

/watch?v=8sCt23sdbhc

[imgwg2117]

Amazing!



[imgwg2117]

Bravo!



[KikiTheHeat]

beautiful.

[bangfarang]

This is quite possibly the greatest piece of music ever to come out of the United States, performed beautifully here.

[donaldhayes]

This is so amazing. Absolute perfection. 

[23Shinin23]

I am the only one who is deeply struck that music will never return to this beautiful form?

[arpeggio1358]

@23Shinin23 Nor do I think we'll ever hear such a perfect version of this duet ever again. White and Hayman are perfect.

[Buddhaxe]

This is a wonderful performance... but the lady is not enjoying that kiss at the ending :p

[jewelmarkess]

This is absolutely beautiful. Great singing and acting.

[DanielShai]

Beauty!

[danilissimo777]

Йа плакалъ! Чийковский борн эгейн, мама! :)

[rovingeye5]

"America" is about collaboration-it's about being inspired by the greatest in all cultures

[naydentodorov]

Oh, Gott! GREAT!!!!

[madamerotten]

Amazing... magnificent!

[GingerBellaable]

Oh rapture! Ode to joy! Now THIS is the stuff! All this and heaven too?

[javilack]

Check out Finich's poem on youtube. Gershwin took that chromatic passing tone melodic idea from him.

[shontabckdat]

I JUSZ SEEN DISZ OPERA FA DA FIRST TYM3 IN MUSIC APPRECIATION..AND I LVE IT..IVE ALWAYS THOUGHT ALL OPERA WAS BORIN TIL I HIT COLLEGE N DISZ IS OFF DA CHAIN!!!

[FATowlie]

@shontabckdat Most opera is just as good. You just gotta find out how to appreciate it. Why'd you like it? Maybe I could show you more.

[shontabckdat]

@FATowlie it was jusz 3asy 2 understand..3spaecially wh3n i had a t3ach3r 2 3xplain parts i cudnt understand..but sur3 u can introduc3 m3 2 others...ill lyk 2 luk n2 mor3!

[Lenara7]

greatest american opera ever written! Gershwin is genius, this song has so many perfect melodies, I cant pick a favorite person.

[soundsabound78]

I like Miles' version.

[27elt]

What fabulous voices! What engaging music! Such a pleasure to listen to.

[arpeggio1358]

@27elt I couldn't agree more. Their voices really are beautiful...and their acting ability shines, too.

[theworldGodonlyknows]

ayayayaya sing to me

[tenorlyrico2]

she does a great job at control.. her tone is so full at the the end even tho she is singing softly...wonderful

[moyneugo8]

c'est une merveillleuse enregistrement

[dknoeln]

toujours aussi emouvante l'histoire de Porgy et Bess.

Très bien interprétéé par ce beau couple

[musictman]

His voice is great!!! Representing the basses! ;P

[TheFroggystest]

@musictman Baritone, not bass... anyway great

[toobyu2859]

He seems to do it effortlessly.

[Masicians]

@toobyu2859

It's obviously in playback in order to make this wonderful movie.

But you are right, it's quite a great rendition!

I'm a student singer (from Madagascar) in a "Conservatoire Supérieur" in France and I hope, one day, I will have the voice to sing Porgy's role.

One of my dreams....

[icewirlwind]

They just open mouths and sing other people))

[jvinikour]

Too beautiful for words! Great singing, especially from Sir Willard

[jmichaelmuir]

What an incredible, beautiful voice Willard White has!  Thanks for sharing this video.

[BBRENTTAGHAPP]

absolutely awesome! my youth orchestra is playing selections from this opera and it sounds so amazing in its original form :D

[madamerotten]

The highest form of art. Incredibly beautiful.

[soundsabound78]

so wonderful. one of my favorites.

[mphsmade]

brilliant.

[classyteacherdiva]

Why is Bess so fascinating? Does she really know what she wants? Is it drugs, or a man? Does she want an escape from the trials of life? As Linda Richman would say, let's discuss!

[william0000000]

That's a good question. I personally think she's very dependent: depends on Crown (for sex, happy dust and protection), then depends on Porgy, and when she's made to believe that she's lost Porgy, depends on Sportin' Life. She's the ultimate victim. Even for giving up drugs she needs Porgy.

I know people like that.

[Astonyshing]

Brilliant song superbly performed

[UndertakerFan56]

you so right sirslady

[UndertakerFan56]

wonderful

[crazylericaun]

this song is so beautiful and sad, one of gershwins best i love it <33333333 :'(

[Yokandyman]

Just Wonderful

[forgetmenot1937]

First time I heard this version on the radio I was enchanted and like others on here think it the best sung version ever. I am sure Gershwin would also have thought so.

[bashe82]

I saw this for the first time as a little girl and it truly changed my life forever.

[bangfarang]

When I get around to listing my favorite popular music—to use the term broadly—of the last hundred years, this always makes a quick appearance. I live, and will likely die, in an Asian mountainside forest, and when I think of the United States, my home, this is one of the pieces of music that best represents the beauty of what my country once was, warts and all.

[XaMUSEmentX]

teeeheee bess has funny eyebrows l:o

great song though

[sirslady]

I think my fifth time listening in the last three days. Just wonderful. Gets better every time.

[monsoonalley]

At 5:08 goosebumps

[jerely04]

That's exactly what I was just replaying 20 times. breathtaking.

[kelvinyamcs]

Awesome!

[dordogne24]

ohhh......so beautiful

[singingspot]

This is the best version of this song. Hands down. I absolutely love it!

[tomferent]

I've watched this video a dozen times. I'm smitten by Cynthia Hayman!!!!

[foxtrotnow]

truly great music. simply beautiful.

[stesan2006]

first time I have seen this. amazing.

[bosquetango]

Wow! Thanks for posting this. I love Gershwin and especially Porgy and Bess.

[FancyUnicorn]

Godspeed Music 10. I'm doing the final while I type this!

[cuckoo879]

lol, good luck

[822003]

Willard White is Jamaican.

[Lebowski53]

Chaps. Easy on the whole African American stuff. Gershwin was a white jewish gent. Music is music is music.

Leave it at that.

[morticiaaddams77]

I am so happy (and grateful) to have found this collection on YouTube. I saw this production of Porgy and Bess on PBS quite a few years ago. It's THE BEST!!!!!

Thank you, Trisolde. I feel the same as Kittyburgha.

[Blaw716]

yea this is the one i saw as well awesome

[kittyburgha]

I can't stop weeping, so heartbraking beautiful.

[CrystalFlames]

I love Cynthia Haymon!

[alexandrevlad37]

Great Williard.

[KeithB08]

Amen.

that's all i have to say.

[pphleboman]

We need to kill B.E.T and all of the gang bangers that cater to it. I would like to see fifty cent compete with this. The music of our genra in Black America is causing many souls to become polluted and possibly damn for all eternity. wake africa America. praise the name of the God of Jacob.

[spartanpreadtor]

@pphleboman ...

[spartanpreadtor]

@pphleboman thats radical

[madamerotten]

@pphleboman It was the fusion of Jewish European and Black African musical styles that fueled the genius of George Gershwin and others of his era. There is nothing like it being created today.

[TruthSerum101]

@pphleboman Oh, please!

[Saxation1]

@pphleboman i agree that the state of rap is crap these days, but keep in mind that this opera was written by a white Jew.

[TruthSerum101]

@pphleboman God of Jacob? Damned for eternity?  What a crock. Anyway, this is a great opera.

[OrientalNumber33]

*tear* Stay representing for the Bass-Baritones of the world Willard! Absolutely fantastic art.

[zlatanosibsen]

For the eyes and ears - this is perfection!

[balladtree]

Willard's voice make mouths drop!

[balletnut]

MORE PLEASE as this was so wonderful. Willard White can't be beaten in this part.

[smeriau]

+1 about that.

for me, this is the best version of this unbelievable opera, thanks to Willard White & Cynthia Haymon for their brilliant performance here.

now....Shhhh ! just listen & enjoy ....

[EmoneyCT313]

Gershwin is very talented, and Summertime is very well known, But I believe this should recieve more recognition. This is truely a great song!

[manlyman80345]

Indeed, so many wonderful arias of his opera don't receive their deserved recognition, I mean "Summertime" that's about it.

[vbbdesign]

I've always wondered why "Summertime" became more famous than this, perhaps the Gershwins' most perfect song.

[jbdoug]

I completely agree. This should be Gershwin's signature piece.

[EmoneyCT313]

i agree!

[BigTabby33]

Perhaps the definitive treatment of Gershwin's tale of love and loss, this particular performance never fails to make me tear up. Such remarkable performances.

[manlyman80345]

Could you please post more of this....PLEASE!!!!!!

[Gaseoushead]

Porgy and Bess is truly the great American Opera.

[Leni03041958]

@Gaseoushead ti just have found this - great voices ! where is the whole fil /music to find ? I still remember this from my middleschool in Aschaffenburg, Germany - The women part was sung by my girlfried /Classmate B. Rollmann, and the musicleader of the school-choir sung the men part. I learned the parts of B. just by listening to her perfect clear voice, and i wish i could. get the film of the evening . I know the evening was recorded- who knows more about it ?

[willb48]

Porgy and Bess - or Tristan and Isolde?

[Chromeman]

Just fantastic! Looking forward to see and hear Porgy & Bess myself in the new Oslo Operahouse and the guest performance from Cape Town Opera in August!

[menzer119]

beautiful... thank you!

[mara235]

breathless - thanks!

[darkprose]

Lovely. Lovely. Thank you.

[defyinggravity319]

i saw this movie in 5th grade for music class and i didn't know what the heck was going on! now i am absolutely in love with this! thank you so much for posting!

[chipperd]

I was reintroduced to this great song and I had to search on YouTube and this is a great video.

[ariesBLK]

I love the sweetness in Cynthia's voice. It works sooooooo well for this duet. I'm in love, lol.

[ladyjeans]

Out of this world. Just fantastic.

[fcrim]

I cried watching this.

[reggiesings]

I love Sir Willard White!!!

[francinemary]

Wonderful!

[dwetick]

Such a clear and thrilling performance thanks to U-tube!

[gamesport88]

Forget the Preminger film.

This production is the money maker right here!

[IndiaGrace]

His voice is amazing, it made me want to cry. She has a beautiful voice, but I am not as strongly affected by womans voices, so I didnt cry for her. but still both amazing

[susuemikado]

Ah Willard White...a friend of my Mummy...Mum says he was great as a student at the Jamaica School of Music in Kingston, Jamaica.

[Yanipooh]

he's jamaican? coolness!!

^_^

[susuemikado]

yes plentiful big ups to our fellow Jamaican:0)

[301250]

It ain't surprising that given such glorious singing from two singers with magical and heavenly voices in this beautiful opera of Gershwin, both Willard and Haymon, when they performed this at Glynbourne, the bourgeoisie black-tie audience there was reduced to helpless tears. Watching this made me do the same. Some more please. SD Goh (Malaysia)

[Yanipooh]

i watch this like everyday...how pathetic of me

[sexysucculent]

That's not pathetic, its just the humanity in you.

[eugcat]

BEAUTIFUL!!

[pericopemeister]

I just played this for my American music class and I had a hard time to keep from crying. Such amazing singing, acting, filming, orchestral playing and the unequaled music and words of the the Gershwin brothers!

[ChaseOnMars]

The vocal performances are absolute perfection! So beautiful, the way the song builds up to (4:15) the 'morningtime and eveningtime's, with the 'hhmmmm's, and the kiss, and time stops completely until the last note a minute and a half later. Just great.

[beaugarsNYC]

I'm CRAZY for this song now! Would you believe that it was Lainie Kazan's version that introduced me to this? After more searching on here, I came up with this version, which has left me spellbound. I "loves" you, Cynthia and Willard!!

[Soulill0quy]

my heart soars when I hear this specific performance, then I get goosebumps! oh man freaking brilliant!

[DVASTUS]

This a wonderful recording.

[elvenlove]

Cynthia Haymon is currently a professor at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. Hurray for the Midwest!

[littlegiry]

Achingly beautiful.

[Tenderness6]

Just beautiful

[jpaparozzi]

Beautiful beyond words. I have loved this duet and opera since I was a child. Gershwin gave us a taste of the sounds of Heaven!

[kittyburgha]

Ahhhhhh heaven

[arr2ssr]

thanks for posting!!!!

[madamerotten]

One of the most powerful, enchanting duets ever to grace our ears and our souls.

[kaj151]

AMEN! I can never get tired of listening to this song, and Willard White may be the best Porgy since Todd Duncan originally played him. At the end, after the kiss where Porgy sings 'My Bess, My Bess' and Bess sings 'O My Porgy, My man Porgy' overtop gives me chills every time I hear it.

[gamesport88]

Can anyone post Summertime from this production?

[bri2283]

My favorite opera of all time!! Beautiful!!

[LadyVocals22]

i wish someone will post this entire opera...i had the peasure of being in one recent production! i just love it!

[oaktree03]

As a child, I was an "extra" in a production of this Opera myself. It changed my life and opened my eyes to true talent and musicianship.

[peagahairy]

What a thrill! One of the most romantic fragments of the musical production! I love Gershwin, Porgy, Bess and I do love this song! Thank you!