Porgy & Bess

About

Based on the 1924 novel Porgy, written by DuBose Heyward, this opera premiered in 1935 with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by his brother, Ira Gershwin. Set in 1920s South Carolina, the story features Porgy, a handicapped African-American man who tries to make a positive difference in the lives of those around him. Songs include "Summertime" and "It Ain't Necessarily So."