Porgy and Bess

After decades, Porgy and Bess is finally returning to Berlin! Barrie Kosky gives the timeless masterpiece about the life of a black community a new, powerful perspective. With his precise direction, he focuses on the beauty and depth of human existence — raw, touching and inspiring.

South Carolina around 1870: On the run-down Catfish Row in Charleston's waterfront, people live under miserable conditions and yet find hope in a sense of community — through work, religion, music or the game of dice. When the violent Crown loses at the said game and promptly becomes a murderer, his lover Bess finds refuge with the handicapped beggar Porgy. The two fall in love, but their luck only lasts a short time: Because soon the shady drug dealer Sportin' Life promises drug addict Bess a better life in New York...

Even though many see a musical in Porgy and Bess, George Gershwin emphasized that the work is a “folk opera.” In a unique mix of classical music, spirituals, blues and jazz, George Gershwin produced evergreens such as “Summertime” or “I Got Plenty o' Nuttin.” The work draws its strength not only from the story of the unequal pair of titles. Rather, it is the numerous supporting roles that allow us to recreate the entire range of human behavior, sometimes funny, sometimes tragic. To this day, Porgy and Bess has not missed its effect — seldom has the diversity of life been so impressively captured.

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