Why did Gershwin call Porgy and Bess a folk opera? What are his various musical influences and how do you see these relating to his notion of this "folk opera"? Where do you or can you hear these various musical influences in the music of Porgy and Bess? What do Atkinson, Downes, or any of the other critics contribute to this discussion of the genre of Porgy and Bess (and why does it matter)? Finally, if Porgy and Bess is a folk opera, what is a folk opera?picture: George Gershwin, DuBose Hayward, and Ira Gershwin. The brilliant trio behind Porgy and Bess. Photo source: The Robert A. Wachsman Collection. The Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research InstituteThe Ohio State University. 1934?
4 comments:
Porgy and Bess is an opera about and the "common" people. This may be where the term 'folk opera' came from. Folk refers to the majority or the common people. Porgy and Bess is about common black people in the early 20th century. All the characters are black and the plot is also fairly realistic. Gershwin also made the music for this play which blended popular music of the time into the opera. He had a lot of influence from French and Russian compositions, more well-to-do musics. The more poppy rhythm of this opera's score may be another reason it was referred to as a 'folk opera', because could be more enjoyed by the common folk. The earlier songs of the opera, like the one you played in class, seem to sound very traditional and more foreign, but as the plays go on it is easier to see the almost jazziness he blends with them.
Critics contribute things to things. I don't understand the question entirely, but critics' jobs are to analyze and discuss works. Maybe help bring to light us common folk wouldn't get at first or understand. Sometimes a respected critic can influence folk's opinions about things. Their influence is certainly a factor.
According to Merriam Webster, by definition, folk is defined as ‘the great proportion of the members of a people that determines the group character and that tends to preserve its characteristic form of civilization and its customs, arts and crafts, legends, traditions, and superstitions from generation to generation.’ I believe Gershwin called Porgy and Bess a folk opera because it portrays the ‘idealized’ life of a certain class, a certain people. Notice that in the pay, the characters are black and like the definition of folk, the play portrayed life for the black culture, the common people. Gershwin received Eastern influence when it came to opera (librettos, orchestras etc.). But he also blended Western life into his play, particularly the popular music of the time. Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess is a sort of fusion between the eastern and western cultures, which makes this play considerably one-of-a-kind. The genre of Prgy and Bess sparked some issues because it didn’t deal with the norm. there were racial undertones in the play and people weren’t exactly sure if it could even be called a play in itself. Gershwin himself had to give the play it’s own genre, that is folk opera. Essentially, whether it mattered or not was based on opinion and either way, today it is widely known as a folk opera. Like mentioned before, any opera that tends to focus primarily on the life of a particular people and thus tries to preserve their beliefs, cultures, traditions, etc will most likely fall under the folk opera genre.
The word folk may come to be defined as a majority of common people; a community. When we here the word folk, folk songs come to mind, or at least the nature of what folk songs generally sound like: happy, rhythmic, pop, soulful, or lively.
In porgy n bess, the black community members sing in church choir like performances, and engage in hummable, singable tunes not typically found in opera.
Shannan's post:
Why did Gershwin call Porgy and Bess a folk opera?
Gershwin believes that his Porgy and Bess is a folk opera because it depicts a folk tale. It is a folk opera because a folk tale needs folk music. He believes that he created a folk opera when he made his own folk songs that flowed from one song to the next like operatic form.
What are his various musical influences and how do you see these relating to his notion of this "folk opera"?
Spirituals and folk songs influenced Gershwin when he wrote the opera. These musical styles helped Gershwin to compose his own folk music that connected one song after another like the organization of an opera. This combination creates Gershwin’s new genre of folk opera.
Where do you or can you hear these various musical influences in the music of Porgy and Bess?
Strike up the Band becomes a piece of folk music with the lyrics “We fought in 1917
and drove the tyrant from the scene", "we're in a bigger better war for your patriotic pastime,” and “C'mon and join the big parade.” These lyrics reflect the folk style as they rally the people together and speak of heritage. Gershwin’s song “Oh, Doctor Jesus” shows his inspiration from spirituals because the song is a prayer. Serena uses the prayer to heal Bess and the religious qualities show that Gershwin looked to spirituals to influence his creation of a folk opera.
What do Atkinson, Downes, or any of the other critics contribute to this discussion of the genre of Porgy and Bess?
Downes adds to the thesis that Gershwin created a folk opera when he states the facts that Gershwin is “an operatic composer” who turned toward show tunes. The article definitely contributes when he says that Gershwin combines opera and “Broadway entertainment” (Downes 1). Downes also says that the music carries the show along like an opera. He also shares that the opera incorporates a lot of chorus from the townspeople. This chorus shows Gershwin’s emphasis on the community.
Atkinson further strengthens this argument when he says that Gershwin continually changes from solo to chorus songs (or parts of songs. This mixture shows that Gershwin composed a folk opera because it shows the importance of the community to help individuals with their problems. His opera gets the folk aspect with the inclusion of a helping community.
Finally, if Porgy and Bess is a folk opera, what is a folk opera?
A folk opera incorporates hummable tunes into opera and emphasizes the community. This type of opera shows the culture of a community. The genre of folk opera shows the hardships faced by an individual within the community as well as problems that affect the entire group of people. In Porgy and Bess Gershwin creates this new genre as he combines show tunes, gospel, jazz, blues, and classical opera. He also does so as he captures racism and the storm as community problems. Gershwin uses Crown to show a personal problem for Porgy and Bess. Gershwin creates a folk opera as he combines all of the these elements to tell the story of a black community of immigrants.
Post a Comment