Porgy and Bess Video

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 11:39am

Just noticed that the San Francisco Opera production is coming out on DVD/Blu-Ray. Sadly, it uses that official "The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess" title that omits Hayward, but other than that it looks like it could be good. Did anyone see this production?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 6:16pm

Got a mid 90's version done in London on VHS from Amazon

I than transferred it to dvd

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 12:40am

That's probably the Trevor Nunn production originally done for Glyndenbourne--Simon Rattle conducts. It also aired on American Playhouse in the US and the DVD is out in the States Mr Roxy, so you didn't need to get it transferred. It's not bad--I find some of Rattle's tempi a bit ponderous, though many love it. What irks me about the filmed version is Nunn did the odd thing he later did with Oklahoma--he restages it on a soundstage with the stage sets (though no awkward cross cuts to an audience after every big number this time) and they lip synch mostly to the cast album. I feel like it gives it a sense of feeling disconnected that just a live recording wouldn't do.

I will, when I have some money, get the BluRay of the San Francisco production. It's conducted by the conductor of the 1970s Houston Grand Opera production which is my favorite recording of the complete score (my fave other recording is the 1962 Warfield/Leontyne Price recording with the original Sportin' Life and am amazing orchestra that still sounds great--but that's just highlights and somewhat inauthentic since I believe Leontyne sings all of the big female solos including My Man's Gone Now and Summertime--though the CD doesn't say...)

Anyway, there is a clip and it looks like a solid production well filmed. Fans who disliked the Broadway version giving Porgy a crutch instead of his goat and wagon may be upset that it looks like they do the same here (at least in the sections in the youtube video...)

The SF production is 158 minutes--the Glyndenbourne production, which has every note written, is 183 minutes (but some of that may be due to slow tempi) so there have been some trims, but that's true of virtually any staging of P&G.

Here's the youtube preview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX_o9Oy3JpU

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 12:46am

BluRay.com gave it a pretty great review, BTW http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Gershwins-Porgy-and-Bess-Blu-ray/100208/#Review

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 8:50pm

Did not see the DVD anywhere. Amazon had the VHS for a ridiculous price of $ 2.98 . I got it and transferred it so I have it. Great production.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 11:11pm

Roxy, the Nunn version is 25 bucks on DVD http://www.amazon.com/George-Gershwin-Trevor-Rattle-Glyndebourne/dp/B00005LIN0 How much did it cost to convert the VHS?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 11:17pm

See my post above yours.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 11:29pm

I did. You said the VHS cost was cheap, and that you had it transferred to DVD--I wondered how much that cost...

[HorseTears]

Posted: 4/13/14 at 12:23pm

Eric, while I don't take pleasure in contradicting you, I'm afraid this video release has nothing whatsoever to do with that landmark Trevor Nunn production from the 1980s. I do think it's a crying shame that that when they finally got round to taping that UK cast that they ended up doing so on a soundstage; lip synced to the (no doubt magnificent) 3 cd set. I don't think the cast assembled for that production will ever be equaled, but it's a shame that we don't get to see them performing in front of an audience. That would have been electrifying.

This new video is from a more recent production co-produced by the San Francisco, LA and Washington Opera. I don't recall which company performed it first. It is conducted by John DeMain, who also conducted the landmark 1970s Houston Grand Opera production. I saw it in LA in 2006 or 2007 and found it to be one of the most moving experiences I've ever had in a theatre. It was both musically and dramatically fulfilling. The production received a rapturous response the night I attended.

One important note: although Mr. DeMain also conducted the LA Opera production, we had a different cast so I can't comment on the performances of the SF Opera production actor-singers.

If the SF cast was half as good as the LA one, I'd highly recommend checking this video out.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 4/13/14 at 2:05pm

It only costs the price of a blank DVD if you have one of those DVD/VCR Combo Recorders. they sell them all over the place and for not very much at all. They are great because not only do they place DVDs and VHS, But you can transfer both ways and record off your TV.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/13/14 at 5:01pm

Wow, I must not have been clear at all Horse. I am well aware this is a completely different production (it IS the one I linked a youtube clip to and the one that I linked the BR.com review to, though :P )

We are completely on the same level about Nunn's version and how annoying the filming is, though. As soon as I get some funds, I certainly plan on checking out the DVD.

[HorseTears]

Posted: 4/14/14 at 7:48am

Or perhaps I need to take remedial reading comprehension classes.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/14/14 at 7:17pm

Ha. I can see where the mistake was made--my comment was about the version Roxy mentioned having from the '90s--not this new release.