This ending is for me, one of the saddest in opera. Porgy, having known true happiness for the first time in his life would rather embark on a suicidal journey for a woman that doesn’t love him than live without chasing that feeling again.
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Usually, opera endings are tragic. At least, Porgy has still a hope. No other tragic opera gives hope.
@@motownfan3@biomedlib With the sheer willpower he will reach New York. It'll require months of "dragging" but on that adventure he'll meet good, evil and indifferent people where the good ones wouldn't let him starve. Then when he reaches immense northern cold New York, a labyrinth where he can't find Bess, he'll change his mind and return home, psychologically and physically bruised but safe. It'll be a boat ride by the sea, the ticket, again, paid by a good Samaritan, and once home he'll find a good woman.
Gershwin is the Master. Poor Porgy, but he decided to go after Bess! Such a wonderful work by Gershwin. Tears come to my eyes every time I listen to it.
Absolutely. My tears come, I can't help it. It's virtually hopeless he'll ever find her. A poor, penniless disabled black man trying to walk up the coast from Carolina to New York city. Then the poor, sick, hungry man searching through the hundreds of thousands of that heartless city. It would have been better for him had he never met her but, for all the suffering, he would know it was worth it. And, that brings the tears.
I have long studied the score in the basses and tenors, but only now understood how it should be sung in fact. Best regards for ordinary American people from Russia.
@@persebra Porgy finds Bess in New York and she successfully completes rehab! They get married and have children then live happily ever after! I call this production " Porgy & Bess 2"🤣🤣🤣
I have never been able not to cry during this scene. The way the orchestra fills in the rhythmic gaps, the excitement, a man courageously finding his legs and his journey, with the community behind him. Gershwin, the most overrated (because popular), and the most underrated (as a serious composer).
This rendition, with this cast with both the incredible Willard White and Cynthia Harmon, I only discovered it just now! I'm loving every second of it, there are no words to describe it...This scene is so powerful and moving and it is beyond comprehension how well the spirit and character op Porgy are being captured by mr White! The two of them together is, well...pure magic!
Gershwin's brain was in the grips of the terminal process of his life. Maybe this had something to do with the magnitude of the event because I think it is a singular acheivement. It is one of the great works of humanity and the derector of this piece beautifully realizes it. A work of genious.
What a POWERFUL scene......my music teacher in JR HIGH SCHOOL in the 60's" reviewed this scene...........NOT A DRY EYE in the class LISTEN TO THOSE STRINGS ....WOW !!!!!!!
Sorry for the typo. Here it is again: Thanks for posting. I have this on DVD. I hope they put even more of this "Porgy and Bess" online; it is probably better than the 1959 film. They shouldn't have let him drop his crutches and walk in this production, though. it looks too much like a miracle cure, which it isn't supposed to be, and borders on the offensive. Porgy is supposed to either ride out on his goat cart or walk out with crutches. He's not supposd to suddenly become able-bodied.
Thanks for posting. I have this on DVD. I hope they put even more of this "Porgy and Bess" online; it is probably better than the 1959 film. They shouldn't have let him drop his crutcheswalk in this production, though. it looks too much like a miracle cure, which it isn't supposed to be, and borders on the offensive. Porgy is supposed to either ride out on his goat cart or walk out with crutches. He's not supposd to suddenly become able-bodied.
@atwillie That's the spirit. And maybe he really did find her. Gershwin and Dubose Heyward were talking about writing another opera, about Porgy in New York. But then they both died, so it didn't happen. So we'll never know. God damn it,
As an adult, I now realize that Porgy fully realizes that he's going to die on this journey up north, but still thinks that chasing after the weak-charactered Bess is the best he can do for himself - the best he can hope for.
There is still a chance for him to survive the journey & find Bess. Gershwin was going to have a sequel to this called "Porgy In New York", but he passed away before he could finish it. Besides, you don't go until the Lord calls you
@@j.i.r608 "Oh Lawd I'm on my way. I'm on my way to a heavenly land. I'll ride that long long road, if you are there to hold my hand." Sis, he's on a goat cart (on stage), or here having chucked his crutches to go out and walk into a nebulous journey to New York from South Carolina. The white-out at the end pretty much confirms it. He dead.
@@j.i.r608 I won't call you sis but please don't throw up any cockamamie stories about an unwritten sequel that Gershwin never wrote in order to make ensure your pollyannaish interpretation of an obviously grim ending to an obvious tragedy. Deal?
Ms. Baxter, while my spelling was most assuredly "wrong" I really don't see how you could infer that I thought the Gershwins were "overrated" -(as you put it)- from what I posted earlier. Porgy and Bess is a work of genius.
I might be wrong, but!: For me it says - he is on his way, but he will never arrive... And this makes it tragic. Even, if he was with his cart, how could he find her in NY? Amazing music, fantasic staged.
With the sheer willpower he will reach New York. It'll require months of "dragging" but on that adventure he'll meet good, evil and indifferent people where the good ones wouldn't let him starve. Then when he reaches immense northern cold New York, a labyrinth where he can't find Bess, he'll change his mind and return home, psychologically and physically bruised but safe. It'll be a boat ride by the sea, the ticket, again, paid by a good Samaritan, and once home he'll find a good woman.
I'm also grateful.But I couldn't disagree strongly enough with the comment taking exception to him throwing away his crutches.He was far from "able bodied" .The whole point of this climacteric scene is the once pathetic Porgy is now spiritualy edified by his love for and response-ability to Bess. Hence he rejects anything that might compromise his sense of personal empowerment.He has found true faith ...in life,his own .The scene was composed brilliantly.A spitual pageant .down to every face.
Sorry maysonguild you are wrong. George and Ira could NEVER be overrated. You view them from 80 years on. You (and I) cannot conceive of how popular and brilliant they were. The death of George was a huge tragedy for his family and the world of music. I often wonder what popular music would be like today if George Gershwin, Glenn Miller and Buddy Holly had not died so young. All three were major innovators of music in their time period. Very sad for the loss of them.
The idea that Porgy would set out for New York without his goat-cart seems rather absurd. Apparently the designers of this production were determined to make Porgy appear as pathetic as possible. The least they could have done would be to give him crutches.
This ending is for me, one of the saddest in opera. Porgy, having known true happiness for the first time in his life would rather embark on a suicidal journey for a woman that doesn’t love him than live without chasing that feeling again.
Usually, opera endings are tragic. At least, Porgy has still a hope. No other tragic opera gives hope.
My sister asked, "How far does he believe he's going to get in his condition?"
@@biomedlib He was in love so maybe he made it to NYC ???
@@motownfan3@biomedlib
With the sheer willpower he will reach New York. It'll require months of "dragging" but on that adventure he'll meet good, evil and indifferent people where the good ones wouldn't let him starve. Then when he reaches immense northern cold New York, a labyrinth where he can't find Bess, he'll change his mind and return home, psychologically and physically bruised but safe. It'll be a boat ride by the sea, the ticket, again, paid by a good Samaritan, and once home he'll find a good woman.
Gershwin is the Master. Poor Porgy, but he decided to go after Bess! Such a wonderful work by Gershwin. Tears come to my eyes every time I listen to it.
Absolutely. My tears come, I can't help it. It's virtually hopeless he'll ever find her. A poor, penniless disabled black man trying to walk up the coast from Carolina to New York city. Then the poor, sick, hungry man searching through the hundreds of thousands of that heartless city. It would have been better for him had he never met her but, for all the suffering, he would know it was worth it. And, that brings the tears.
Outstanding. One of the best endings ever in my opinion.
Definitely one of the greatest endings in music.
I have long studied the score in the basses and tenors, but only now understood how it should be sung in fact. Best regards for ordinary American people from Russia.
It's so amazing ... What a vocals, Thank God for George Gershwin!
Steven Soundheim is a Living Legend!
It moves my heart! This last scene show's Porgy's determination! I'm sure he found Bess in New York City!
Yes! They also get married, move back to Catfish Rowe, start a family, & live many happy years together
No, they are both doomed.
@@persebra Porgy finds Bess in New York and she successfully completes rehab! They get married and have children then live happily ever after! I call this production " Porgy & Bess 2"🤣🤣🤣
Tengo él CD,en ésta versión,no me canso dé verlo y oírlo
Still amazing to me, every time I return to hear. America's one and only verisemo opera, and one of its best of all times.
Powerhouse voice delivering one of the best anthems in musical history!
ok, the tear glands just turned on--very moving and uplifting.
I have never been able not to cry during this scene. The way the orchestra fills in the rhythmic gaps, the excitement, a man courageously finding his legs and his journey, with the community behind him. Gershwin, the most overrated (because popular), and the most underrated (as a serious composer).
ME TOO!
Majestuoso final,
This is un real. Im in AWE. one of the strongest scenes ever. everything about this performance is just perfect.
This rendition, with this cast with both the incredible Willard White and Cynthia Harmon, I only discovered it just now! I'm loving every second of it, there are no words to describe it...This scene is so powerful and moving and it is beyond comprehension how well the spirit and character op Porgy are being captured by mr White! The two of them together is, well...pure magic!
hear, hear!!
Agreed!
That’s Glyndebourne for you - the highest standards possible.
@@metacarple
Not to contradict you, but this was the Royal Opera House 1992 Cast.
This was filmed at Shepperton after the ROH run!
This is so beautiful!
Gershwin is the Master!
I LOVED BEING THIS PLAY!!! IT WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID.
Excellent music and a great play.
Gershwin's brain was in the grips of the terminal process of his life.
Maybe this had something to do with the magnitude of the event because I think it is a singular acheivement.
It is one of the great works of humanity and the derector of this piece beautifully realizes it.
A work of genious.
porgy and bess was finished and first produced in 1935. gershwin's brain tumor caused no symptoms until 1937, a few months before his death.
love this version! wonderful rendition including Willard White, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle!
i dont know why but i fucking love it
Thank You Maestro!
What a POWERFUL scene......my music teacher in JR HIGH SCHOOL in the 60's" reviewed this scene...........NOT A DRY EYE in the class LISTEN TO THOSE STRINGS ....WOW !!!!!!!
This is my all time favorite! Loved it, saw it when it came to Jacksonville a few years ago.
Had this earworm all day until I scratched it by coming here... ah!
Greatest opera I have ever seen Gershwin what an awesome American composer.
windsurf he is a russian jew
@@whoopsala2589 He was an American, born and raised.
I have seen already twice in Theater and I hope this summer will be the third time I see it...And I cant wait!
It is none the less a trajic scene because the odds in his favor are small.Yet this is what elevates Porgy to truly heroic dimensions.
I love it too! I moves my Heart!
HALLELUJAH!!!!!
A perfect 10 on the scale of inspiration.
Sorry for the typo. Here it is again:
Thanks for posting. I have this on DVD. I hope they put even more of this "Porgy and Bess" online; it is probably better than the 1959 film. They shouldn't have let him drop his crutches and walk in this production, though. it looks too much like a miracle cure, which it isn't supposed to be, and borders on the offensive. Porgy is supposed to either ride out on his goat cart or walk out with crutches. He's not supposd to suddenly become able-bodied.
I never get used of this.
Bravo !.
Thanks for posting. I have this on DVD. I hope they put even more of this "Porgy and Bess" online; it is probably better than the 1959 film. They shouldn't have let him drop his crutcheswalk in this production, though. it looks too much like a miracle cure, which it isn't supposed to be, and borders on the offensive. Porgy is supposed to either ride out on his goat cart or walk out with crutches. He's not supposd to suddenly become able-bodied.
@atwillie That's the spirit. And maybe he really did find her. Gershwin and Dubose Heyward were talking about writing another opera, about Porgy in New York. But then they both died, so it didn't happen. So we'll never know.
God damn it,
lol heard this in music class today XD so i had to find it :3 thank you
As an adult, I now realize that Porgy fully realizes that he's going to die on this journey up north, but still thinks that chasing after the weak-charactered Bess is the best he can do for himself - the best he can hope for.
Wow...your thoughts touched my heart....
There is still a chance for him to survive the journey & find Bess. Gershwin was going to have a sequel to this called "Porgy In New York", but he passed away before he could finish it. Besides, you don't go until the Lord calls you
@@j.i.r608 "Oh Lawd I'm on my way. I'm on my way to a heavenly land. I'll ride that long long road, if you are there to hold my hand."
Sis, he's on a goat cart (on stage), or here having chucked his crutches to go out and walk into a nebulous journey to New York from South Carolina. The white-out at the end pretty much confirms it. He dead.
@@JosephCMiller Well I'm still going to think positive, & don't call me "Sis"
@@j.i.r608 I won't call you sis but please don't throw up any cockamamie stories about an unwritten sequel that Gershwin never wrote in order to make ensure your pollyannaish interpretation of an obviously grim ending to an obvious tragedy.
Deal?
Ms. Baxter, while my spelling was most assuredly "wrong" I really don't see how you could infer that I thought the Gershwins were "overrated" -(as you put it)- from what I posted earlier.
Porgy and Bess is a work of genius.
I might be wrong, but!:
For me it says - he is on his way, but he will never arrive... And this makes it tragic.
Even, if he was with his cart, how could he find her in NY?
Amazing music, fantasic staged.
ძააან მაგარი
Oh how I wish Gershwin had allowed himself to build this spiritual with repeats. It’s over far too soon.
I really hope he finds her....
With the sheer willpower he will reach New York. It'll require months of "dragging" but on that adventure he'll meet good, evil and indifferent people where the good ones wouldn't let him starve. Then when he reaches immense northern cold New York, a labyrinth where he can't find Bess, he'll change his mind and return home, psychologically and physically bruised but safe. It'll be a boat ride by the sea, the ticket, again, paid by a good Samaritan, and once home he'll find a good woman.
This rainbow Nazi Amazon Fresh commercial is an obscenity in association with this blessed song.
Where can one find this movie, original or otherwise? I have searched everywhere.
I have the original Video Tape. Have done since it came out.
I'm also grateful.But I couldn't disagree strongly enough with the comment taking exception to him throwing away his crutches.He was far from "able bodied" .The whole point of this climacteric scene is the once pathetic Porgy is now spiritualy edified by his love for and response-ability to Bess. Hence he rejects anything that might compromise his sense of personal empowerment.He has found true faith ...in life,his own .The scene was composed brilliantly.A spitual pageant .down to every face.
Sorry maysonguild you are wrong. George and Ira could NEVER be overrated. You view them from 80 years on. You (and I) cannot conceive of how popular and brilliant they were. The death of George was a huge tragedy for his family and the world of music. I often wonder what popular music would be like today if George Gershwin, Glenn Miller and Buddy Holly had not died so young. All three were major innovators of music in their time period. Very sad for the loss of them.
Oh Yah….
Porgy un bess finals
The idea that Porgy would set out for New York without his goat-cart seems rather absurd. Apparently the designers of this production were determined to make Porgy appear as pathetic as possible. The least they could have done would be to give him crutches.
did dude die?
Kunst Algemeen 2018
What might Gershwin have accomplished if he had lived a normal lifespan?
Great performance. Lousy direction. Abysmal cinematography.
Excellent music and a great play.