Porgy and Bess
Porgy and Bess (1967) was an opera production by The Norwegian National Opera. Porgy and Bess was a Norwegian premiere based on the opera of the same title by George Gershwin (music) and DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin (libretto), after a play by DuBose and Dorothy Heyward. The production was performed on The Norwegian National Opera’s main stage in Folketeateret.
The director was Anne Brown. (She had created the role of Bess in the original production in the USA, and was granted permission to perform the opera with a cast of non-coloured singers.)
John Fleming performed the role of Porgy.
Irene Oliver and Martha Flowers performed the role of Bess.
Information
(Objekt ID 55570)| Object type | Production |
| Premiere | September 7, 1967 |
| Produced by | The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet |
| Based on | Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, DuBose Heyward |
| Audience | Adults |
| Language | English |
| Keywords | Opera |
| Running period | September 7, 1967 |
SOURCES:
Anne-Margrethe Skari’s private archive. Donated by Anne-Margrethe Skari, 17.11.2021
Maud Hurum, Maud Hurums operahistorie 1749-2000, Opera forlag 2008
Einar Dahl’s private archive. Donated by Einar Dahl, 27.05.2016
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| DuBose Heyward | – Libretto |
| Ira Gershwin | – Songlyrics |
| DuBose Heyward | – Songlyrics |
| Anne Brown | – Direction |
| Ronald Frazier | – Choreography |
| George Gershwin | – Composer |
| Arvid Fladmoe | – Conductor |
| Wolfgang Vollhard | – Stage design |
| Ivar Ferdinand Karlsen | – Costume design |
| Leif R. Bjørneseth | – Singer (Politimannen) |
| Jonas Brunvoll | – Singer (Detektiven) |
| Svein Carlsen | – Singer (Begravelsesagenten / Frazier, en advokat) |
| Mirjana Dančuo | – Singer (Serena) |
| Arild Eriksen | – Singer (Mingo) |
| Jostein Eriksen | – Singer (Peter, honningselgeren) |
| Ruth Eriksen | – Singer (Lily, Peters kone) |
| John Fleming | – Singer (Porgy, en krøpling) |
| Martha Flowers | – Singer (Bess) |
| Ronald Frazier | – Singer (Sportin´ Life) |
| Tor Gilje | – Singer (Robbins / Krabbehandleren) |
| George Goodman | – Singer (Crown) |
| Vessa Hansen | – Singer (Maria) |
| Eva Holst | – Singer (Serena) |
| Waldemar Johnsen | – Singer (Helseoffiser) |
| Thorbjørn Lindhjem | – Singer (Jake) |
| Anne Nyborg | – Singer (Clara) |
| Irene Oliver | – Singer (Bess) |
| Olav Ryan | – Singer (Robbins) |
| Eva Solheim | – Singer (Annie / Jordbærkonen) |
| Jan Sødal | – Singer (Jim) |
| Clyde Williams | – Singer (Sportin´ Life) |
| Rolf Østbye | – Répétiteur |
| Øivind Berne | – Stage manager |
| Per Røed | – Stage Manager |
| Charles Nielsen | – Technical director |
| Bjørn Hansen | – Lighting supervisor |
| Just Groth | – Director’s assistant |
| August 27, 1968 – Hovedscenen i Folketeaterbygningen | Season premiere/Seasonal opening |
| September 7, 1967 – Hovedscenen i Folketeaterbygningen | National premiere, Norway |