PORGY & BESS - London Bess You Is My Woman

[vermontfudge1]

I don't get the opera vs. musical discussion here, that guy isn't singing at all. Is this supposed to be more natural or something? Of course people don't naturally burst into song. If this director or the producers can't abide having people sing in their production why not just do a straight play and leave the Gershwins out of it (I think they would have appreciated it)

[ivelosthewilltolive]

Oh no they did not mess with this song. Who do they think they are, and needless to say they didn't improve it.

[AntonStephans]

I love Clarke Peters & Nicola Hughes. i had the pleasure of working with them. JOYFUL!

[Christiangurl09]

its supposed to be an opera song??? confused...but i guess its ok lol..they have nice voices but its just not the same.

[arpeggio1358]

@Christiangurl09 It certainly isn't This was meant to be sung by opera singers. Take a look at the version by Willard White and Cynthia Hayman, which is also on YouTube. It's just about perfect!

[dmpetrick]

To put it in SAT terms, this is to Porgy & Bess what Alize' is to Wine.

[leporello56]

I think this would reduce both of the gershwins to tears

[ndaa002]

Well I think with any art form you should appreciate it no matter how it is done. Do you think Giacomo Puccini is rolling over in his grave for what Rent did to La Boheme? I love the honesty in both their voices and Trevor Nunn knows what he's doing so I would have to agree with him and not all of the Gershwin fans.

[fiorsolas87]

*gag gag vomit*

[Chilair1]

:( This makes me so sad.

[nothinlikecaleb]

this is a hideous mess. George Gershwin should dig himself out of his grave and Beat someone's ass

[princeandrey]

A defense of this seems pointless. It's just poor. It doesn't work. In fact: They gotta be kidding!

[aldo778899]

Does this really count as an opera?

[handy1994]

no, this version was specifically adapted to be a musical.

[Tbe2007]

YAY...I SAW THE OPERA VERSION YESTERDAY lol

[vinemp]

The [original] version, you mean?

[Tbe2007]

yep

[MelanieNLee]

Yes, with the de-opera-ization and transposing to alto and tenor (?) voice, it loses its grandeur and some of its power. Yet, it's still sweet. And, it seems more real. Also, it'll make lower-budget, amateur, school or community theater productions more possible.

[vinemp]

We should also consider bringing culture--as is--to the people. So what if amateurs cannot reproduce it? It is high art, not pop music. That means, it takes a great deal of study and practice!

[MelanieNLee]

I understand that you don't want the work "bastardized". I believe in high art.  However, if creating a simplified version of high art makes it even more accessible to more people, why not? The original is still there if you don't like the "lite" version.

[vinemp]

My argument simply questions the need for these alternative versions of already great (apparently unaccessible) works of art.

[manlyman80345]

Ugh, it's so stressful to hear the finest American opera degraded to a mere musical, those penny-pinching idea-deprived producers need to just accept the fact that Porgy and Bess is an opera-NOTHING MORE!!!!!!

[handy1994]

did you ever see the actual production? I've seen it as an opera and as a musical, and I have to say that the Musical really was brilliant

[manlyman80345]

You know, I actually have no doubt that it is. I have never seen it in any medium on the stage (I have seen the version recorded for the BBC which is Sir Simon Rattle's version also directed by Trevor Nunn so that's the opera, of course) but Gershwin wrote it as an opera and I'm a die-hard lover of him so I like to see it in the form intended. Did you see this production?

[handy1994]

yes i did. i loved it :) i also love Gershwin by the way

[manlyman80345]

Haha of course you do, everyone does :).

Have you seen the opera?

P.S. I can already appreciate the musical's evocative sets and costumes.

[soprano2k]

Eek!

[HorseTears]

Are you kidding me? They've sapped the soul out the music. What an awful idea. What's next an animated Disney/Pixar version voiced by Mary J. Blige and John Legend? Ugh.

[vinemp]

Well said.

[LadyVocals22]

ur right justin!!!

[babyroobbc]

when i went to see it porgy was played by someone else but all the other were the same.. does anyone know why?

[babymofo07]

i loved this show, i went to watch it in london on the 27th of january,with the woman who plays bess, nicola's, mum etc.. she is such a nice woman and i had a great time. x xx x

[iAmDiVA321]

I really want this to come to the states (despite this clip, which I don't love) ... does anyone know if there's a video of Audra McDonald & Brian Stokes Mitchell doing it? Their recording is FANTASTIC.

[Sennettfan]

I was very reluctant to see this as a musical... But it was one of the finest experiences I've ever had in a theatre. Simple as that. Magnificent.

[oosem3n]

I agree...absolutely fantastic show

[mushthehill]

I saw this production yesterday, it was amazing! The guy playing Porgy went a bit flat in this song, but otherwise he was great and so were the rest of the cast. Everyone go see it!

[s144man]

I saw this in London in November - GREAT!

[Jonny120205]

i am going to see this in London and to be honest i can't wait! an excellent idea to change this to musical and it's been done well, i think.

[Akimych]

yes of course this is not the original key, and what a **** is orchestration.... BWAH... I don't like that noise of oboe

[justinleemiller]

this is not the original key

[gamesport88]

I'm not sure I would like a musical arrangement of this classic opera. Still, I would love to go see this in London!