George Gershwin's opera, "Porgy and Bess," has captivated audiences since its completion in 1935, leading to a rich and varied discography. From its initial recordings shortly after its premiere to modern studio productions and live performance captures, the opera's musical and dramatic depth has inspired a wide array of artists. This overview explores some of the most significant recordings that have preserved and interpreted Gershwin's iconic work
over the decades.
Early Interpretations and Original Cast Recordings
Days after the 1935 premiere of "Porgy and Bess," RCA released "Highlights from Porgy and Bess." This early recording featured popular white opera singers and was made with Gershwin's direct approval, marking one of the first attempts to capture the opera's music. While not featuring the original Broadway cast, it provided an initial glimpse into the score for a wider audience.The first recording to feature members of the original 1935 Broadway cast came in 1940, released by Decca Records. This initial volume included Todd Duncan as Porgy and Anne Brown as Bess. Notably, Duncan performed "It Ain't Necessarily So," a song originally sung by Sportin' Life in the opera, while Brown sang "Summertime" (originally by Clara) and "My Man's Gone Now" (originally by Serena). This collection was released on four 78 rpm shellac records. Following a 1942 Broadway revival of "Porgy and Bess," Decca assembled cast members from that production to record additional songs not included in the 1940 volume, releasing it as a second volume on three 78 rpm shellac records. In 1950, Decca re-released these combined albums as an LP set, deceptively marketing it as "the original cast album," despite featuring selected members from two different casts.
Landmark Live and Studio Productions
One particularly notable recording is the 1952 live capture of a performance in Hamburg, Germany, by the acclaimed Davis/Breen touring company. Released in 2008, this recording is significant as the only known audio from that production and stands as the first live recording of "Porgy and Bess" ever released. It features legendary performers such as Leontyne Price, William Warfield, and Cab Calloway, offering a unique historical document of a pivotal touring production.More recently, a significant studio recording was released in 2006 by Decca. This production aimed to present the score as George Gershwin originally arranged it for the 1935 Broadway production, incorporating all of his opening night cuts. Recorded in Nashville, it featured Alvy Powell as Porgy, Marquita Lister as Bess, Nicole Cabell as Clara, and Robert Mack as Sportin' Life, with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Mauceri. This recording provides a valuable insight into Gershwin's initial vision for the opera, allowing listeners to experience the work closer to its original form.
