3. Porgy and Bess

For episode 3, we discuss Porgy and Bess, music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and Dubose Heyward, libretto by Dubose Heyward. As usual, no familiarity with the show is required to enjoy the podcast, as we play ample audio clips and the plot isn't unexpected or interesting for you to worry about us spoiling you. Porgy and Bess rides the line between opera and musical, and has been performed as complete opera, complete Broadway musical, and every shade in between. We discuss the show, the Gershwin brothers, and we take a look at how criticism of the show's handling of race has changed in ways you might not expect. Apologies for Jeremy's worse microphone today and Hannah's audio getting wonky in the last ten minutes. Neither of those problems surface again in future episodes.