‘The Gershwin Project’ is a 26 episode series about the life
and works of the 20th Century American music composer, George Gershwin. Each episode runs for 30 minutes.
The series was first broadcast on Artsound FM in 2008. The show was written and produced by Len Power and is narrated by Bill Stephens.
With access to the vast music library of local Gershwin collector, Bert Whelan, the programs include not only Gershwin’s well-known music but also an extraordinary number of Gershwin rarities.
Program 18: ‘Porgy And Bess’: An American Opera
In 1935, George Gershwin wrote what has become the best-known American opera, ‘Porgy and Bess’. We hear interviews with the original stars, Todd Duncan and Anne Brown, talking about working with George Gershwin. There’s also a song deleted originally from the score and not heard again until 1980. You’ll hear performances by Billie Holliday as well as Robert McFerrin and Cab Calloway among others.
