Many wonderful works were composed by the wonderful composer George Gershwin for his short life. Among them are pop songs, and rhapsodies, and overtures, and performances, and suites, and plays of various genres. The most popular among listeners is the jazz opera Porgy and Bess. A brief summary of her few know, mainly known for the famous lullaby of Klara, which bears another name - "Summer". The melody has fascinated more than one generation, but what is it about? And what is the whole opera about?
What was Gershwin
The path to fame of Jacob, a descendant of emigrants from Russia, was not easy. Self-study of playing the piano began at the age of twelve, and four years later, in 1914, the young man had already "spied" in the publishing house of Remik as an accompanist. The family lived in Brooklyn, and it was not rich, the three more children of the Gershovits (this was the name of Gershwin in his youth) wanted to eat, so they had to work. The love of music was innate. Only after learning to play, George began to compose, however, without much success. Perseverance, however, bears fruit, especially in combination with talent, and soon the first works of the young author were heard in the Sigmund Romberg revue. Then everything went in full accordance with the image of the "American dream" - fame, success, money. The joy of life lasted until 1937. Ingenious composer and pianist discovered an inoperable brain tumor. The disease killed George Gershwin in the 39th year. But he managed to do a lot, including writing the great opera Porgy and Bess. A summary of his other creations would take up too much space for one article.
The idea
In 1926, George read a book written by D. Hayward, and this literary work made a strong impression on him. At that time, the composer actively conducted, wrote music, but took the time to send a letter to the author in which he expressed admiration and intention to work on a work conceived as a musical illustration of the novel. Eight years passed before he managed to begin the realization of this creative plan. By that time, the couple - Duboz and Dorothy Hayward - had already found the right spirituals for the play, based on the book. The plot of the literary work was attended by two black characters, Porgy and Bess. The summary of the novel could be reduced to the phrase “criminal melodrama”.
Contract signed
In America, any major business begins with a contract. In 1933, a tripartite agreement was signed between The Theater Guild, the author of the literary source Duboise Hayward, and composer George Gershwin on the yet unwritten opera Porgy and Bess. A brief summary of this document, which has now become part of the history of American art, is a listing of financial conditions and the percentage of royalties from royalties. The general idea and the literary part, which included most of the libretto, was provided by the writer. Music pledged to compose J. Gershwin. The guild undertook the promotion of opera on the stage of leading theaters. The texts of some parties came out of the pen of George's brother Ira, it was not part of the contract, it just happened.
First picture, steps 1-3
Clara’s famous lullaby is where the opera Porgy and Bess begins. A brief summary of the text of this composition, which has become part of jazz classics, consists in describing the dream of a rich dad, a beautiful mother, fish jumping out of the water and other wonderful phenomena that make up the hope of the poor. In combination with a bewitching gloomy melody, a lullaby brings the listener to the desired emotional state from the first chords. The following is a scene of a conflict that arose during a gambling dice. The company gathered in a fun way: here is a gangster from New York Sporting Life (it's a nickname), and Robbins (a loader from the harbor) with his wife, and Crown (also a loader) with his girlfriend Bess. There is still a disabled person, a black (like everyone else) Porgy.
The movers quarreled, Crown killed Robbins and fled. The police are about to come running, the beautiful girlfriend of the killer is confused, she does not know what to do, and there is nobody to help her. Only a disabled person invites her to take refuge in her home, and she agrees. Meanwhile, the widow of Robbins is crying, and her neighbors are helping her with whatever they can. The two of them are Porgy and Bess. The summary of the first two actions on this can be considered exhausted.
What follows is a hint that some time (a month or more) has already passed after the dramatic events. Porgy is happy, he loved Bess for a long time, but was afraid to admit it, and now he has opened. The life of a small fishing village comes to its usual rhythm: husbands go to sea, wives wait for them. But then Sporting Life appears on the scene again, and on the pretext of an invitation to a picnic, Bess leads away to have fun. Porgy is left alone.
The second and last picture
The jazz ballad opera Porgy and Bess is dramatic, but optimistic. The summary of the second picture can be described dynamically: the pictures succeed one another, they have many tempo transitions and contrasting tones, the major is often replaced by a minor and vice versa.
A scene of festivities, fun, bright colors, characteristic of the outfits of black Americans. Sporting Life is cheerful and complacent, but then suddenly a runaway killer Crown appears. He takes his girlfriend away, despite her objections.
Morning. Polyphonic polyphonic roll call of merchants, sounds of an awakening town.
- Fish!
- Strawberry!
Bess nevertheless escaped from Crown’s hands and now lies exhausted in Porgy’s closet. The fisherwoman who came to help is praying. Outside the window, a storm begins in which her husband dies.
Late at night, Crown tries to break into Porgy’s home. He does not count on resistance, but the disabled person defends his love as best he can and in the ensuing fight accidentally kills the offender. Police exclude Porgy from among the suspects, but he is still taken to the station as a witness.
When he is released, he will not find his beloved. Sporting Life tricked Bess into telling her that the Porgy had been “baked” for a long time and took the beauty to New York.
Porgy is going to look for her. He is cheerful and decisive, although, apart from simple belongings and a stroller, he has nothing.
That’s the whole story.
Aftertaste
The contents of the opera Porgy and Bess, even in the most complete and detailed exposition, cannot convey the atmosphere that the ingenious Gershwin could create. The work only in form resembles a drama with a criminal plot, in fact it is a story of endless love. It is about self-sacrifice, readiness to do everything for a dear person, and that this is where true happiness lies. Disabled Porgy is not afraid of difficulties, he knows that he is "on his way." It is about this great feeling that George Gershwin’s music. You can listen to it and without knowing the English language, it is understandable without words.