It's Necessarily So

by David Shengold

opera

Most discussions about "the great American opera" sooner or later focus on Porgy and Bess (1935). George Gershwin's phenomenal music (equal parts Mussorgsky and jazz) and brother Ira's snappy lyrics elevated DuBose Heyward's novel of black life in 1920s South Carolina to high music drama. The stodgy prewar Met rejected it, but within a decade it gained popularity (and some continuing notoriety, for its unidealized depiction of its hard-living characters) and now is played around the world. "Summertime" must be one of the best-known American songs ever penned. One can understand why some objected to the superstitious, drug- and sex-ridden world of Catfish Row, but the Gershwins deserve major credit for insisting contractually that Porgy's many singing roles be cast only with black performers, thus both preventing blackface productions and providing work for many people barred from careers in classical music by mid-20th-century racism.

Opera Delaware's delightful Victorian venue offers a powerful lineup: Metropolitan Opera's Richard Hobson and New York City Opera's Alison Buchanan promise much as the ill-matched but passionate title pair. City Opera's glorious-voiced Monique McDonald gets to bring down the house with Serena's gospel-flavored "My Man's Gone Now." Terrific singing actress Gretha Boston (who stole Broadway's Show Boat) is the salty Maria and muscle-bound Ashley Howard Wilkinson is Bess' jealous ex, Crown. Kudos to Opera Delaware's community building efforts: Thursday May 12 has seats for $10-$25.

Porgy and Bess, Opera Delaware, Sat., May 7, 8 p.m.; Thu., May 12, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., May 14, 8 p.m.; Sun., May 15, 2 p.m., $10-$64, Grand Opera House, 818 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del., 1-800-37-GRAND, www.operade.org.