[ Warner Classics Metropolitan Opera / 3 CD ]
Release Date: Friday 28 February 2020
'Authoritative and gripping ... The magnificent bass-baritone Eric Owens gives one of the finest performances of his distinguished career … The sumptuously voiced soprano Angel Blue is radiant … Every singer in the cast was outstanding … A splendid Porgy and Bess' -The New York Times
To open the 2019-20 season, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess returned to the Met stage for the first time in nearly 30 years. The acclaimed new production of America's favorite opera is captured in this three-CD set headlined by Eric Owens and Angel Blue in the title roles. David Robertson conducts a superb cast, which also features Latonia Moore, Golda Schultz, Alfred Walker, Frederick Ballentine, and Denyce Graves. Breaking company box-office records, The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess was even extended for an unprecedented three additional performances in February 2020.
The production was also seen in cinemas around the world on February 1 as part of the Met's Live in HD series and was one of the most successful transmissions in the series' history. Seen live on more than 1,900 screens in nearly 60 countries, the opera reached an estimated 191,095 people. And with delayed showings in Australia, Bermuda, Denmark, India, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and South Africa - as well as encore performances in North America and Europe - worldwide attendance of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess has reached more than 325,000 people.