The Detroit Tribune

'Porgy and Bess' to be Perpetuated by Records

"Porgy and Bess," George Gershwin's monumental American folk opera, is being recorded in its entirety with an all Negro cast, including members of the original 1935 cast.

Gershwin's last and best-loved musical work, "Porgy and Bess," was based on Dubose and Dorothy Heyward's play about life on Charleston's Catfish Row.

The composer's first venture into the operatic field, "Porgy and Bess," has become a musical classic, regarded as America's finest folk opera.

The latest in a series of Broadway musical classics to be revived on records by Columbia, "Porgy and Bess," will be recorded for the first time in a complete version.

Lyricist Ira Gershwin, brother of the composer and his collaborator, is assisting in the Columbia production in an advisory capacity.

For the recording Columbia has assembled a cast of outstanding singers from opera, concert and Broadway stage. Starring as Porgy and Bess are baritone Lawrence Winters and soprano Camille Williams, both noted for their concert and New York City Center Opera appearances.

Heard in the roles they sang in the original production will be Warren Coleman as Crown, Edward Matthews as Jake, Rosamond Johnson as Frazier, and Ray Yeats as the Crab Man.

Avon Long, currently appearing in "The Green Pastures," who played Sporting Life in the 1942 revival of "Porgy and Bess," will sing the same role on Columbia records. Singing the role of Serena will be Inez Matthews of "Carmen Jones" and "Lost In The Stars" fame. Also participating is Helen Dowdy, currently appearing in "Kiss Me Kate," as Maria.

Chorus and orchestra are under the direction of Lehman Engel.