Porgy and Bess

The standout this year at the San Francisco Opera was Gershwin's "Porgy & Bess". The Chronicle's critic, Joshua Koshman, called it "the most familiar opera that people don't really know well at all." That must include me. I grew up on an LP recording made in about 1951 that I assumed was the whole thing. It was not until I bought a recording of the Houston Opera's 1979 revival that I realized that I had only listened to selections.

David Gockley staged a new production of the complete opera with new sets and a very strong cast. I could not help but get the impression that all the singers were aware that they were caught up one of the great moments in opera history and that all were performing at their best.