The purpose of today’s minipost is to announce a forthcoming video discussion I think many readers will find stimulating. Some of you will remember my extended essay on last season’s  Metropolitan Opera production of Porgy and Bess (see 11/3/19) and the follow-up responses to readers’ comments (see 11/22/19). You may also recall my reference (with links) to the reviews of that production by Joseph Horowitz, whose several books on American music (and music in America) include “On My Way”/The Untold Story of Rouben Mamoulian, George Gershwin, and “Porgy and Bess.”

Now, Horowitz has gathered a highly qualified panel to exchange thoughts about Porgy, its place in our culture, and the questions of race that inevitably surface around its performance, including whether or not white singers should be allowed to perform in it, and if so under what circumstances. It’s the second in a two-installment discussion on Gershwin, parts of a series of video chats and podcasts produced by the Post-Classical Ensemble, of which Horowitz is the Artistic Director, and will include musical examples. Besides Horowitz, the participants will include Angel Gil-Ordoñez, PCE’s Musical Director; George Shirley, performer of major tenor roles in many of the world’s leading opera houses and frequent spokesperson on the status of African-American singers on the operatic scene; bass-baritone Kevin Deas, distinguished concert and recital artist who has sung Porgy on numerous occasions; Mark Clague, head of the Gershwin Initiative at the University of Michigan; and myself. Bill McGlaughlin, host of many of the PCE podcasts and chats, will moderate.

This event, in the form of a Zoom chat, will air this Wednesday, June 10, at 6:00 pm. You do have to register, but that’s simply done. Here’s the link, which includes all needed instruction:

I hope many of you will tune in.

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NEXT TIME: As previously announced, I’ll be writing about video and audio recordings that feature the restoration of much material originally included , but subsequently cut, from the scores of two standard repertory operas: Madama Butterfly, in the 2016 La Scala production (on Decca/London DVDs) and Faust (on CDs from Bru Zane). Due to the pile-up of work, I’m giving myself a day’s grace on my usual Friday publication date. So look for it on Saturday, June 13.

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