Porgy and Bess is an opera composed by George Gershwin, with a libretto by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin which is based on the novel and play Porgy by Heyward. It premiered in New York City in the Alvin Theatre on 10 October 1935.

The opera takes place on Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina. It is the story of Porgy, a destitute man who shelters Bess when her lover Crown flees town after killing someone in a fight. Porgy's generosity inspires love in the couple, but Crown comes back and tries to take Bess back. Crown and Porgy fight. Porgy kills Crown. Porgy goes to jail for a little while, only to find upon his return that Bess has gone to New York City with the drug dealer, Sportin' Life.

Gil Evans wrote a beautiful arrangement which Miles Davis recorded with the Gil Evans Orchestra.

Program highlights:

  1. Summertime
  2. A Woman is a Sometime Thing
  3. Gone, Gone, Gone
  4. My Man's Gone Now
  5. I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
  6. Bess, You is My Woman
  7. It Ain't Necessarily So
  8. What You Want Wid Bess?
  9. I Loves You, Porgy
  10. There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York
  11. Oh Bess, Oh Where's My Bess
  12. Oh Lawd, I'm on My Way
