Highlights from Porgy and Bess

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Highlights from Porgy and Bess
Studio album by various
Released 1935
Recorded October 1935
Genre Opera
Label RCA Victor
various chronology
Highlights from Porgy and Bess
Selections from George Gershwin's folk opera Porgy and Bess

Highlights from Porgy and Bess, the 1935 album of George Gershwin's opera, was recorded just days after Porgy and Bess opened on Broadway on October 10, 1935. While the opera was performed by an all-African American singing cast, the 1935 album featured mostly white opera singers attempting singing the Gullah-influenced words and music. Gershwin's involvement is clearly stated on the album cover, which reads "Recorded under the supervision of the composer."

The recordings originally came on 4 twelve-inch 78 rpm shellac records. RCA Victor assigned the publishing numbers 11878 Victor, 11879 Victor, 11880 Victor and 11881 Victor to the records.


Track listing[edit]

  1. "It Ain't Necessarily So" (Act 2)
  2. "The Buzzard Song" (Act 2)
  3. Scene: "Summertime" and crap game (Act 1)
  4. "A Woman is a Sometime Thing" (Act 1)
  5. "Bess, You Is A Woman Now" (Act 2)
  6. "I Got Plenty o' Nuttin" (Act 2)
  7. "Where is my Bess" (Act 3)
  8. Lullaby:"Summertime" (Act 1)
  9. "My Man's Gone Now" (Act 1)


Parts of this recording have been re-issued by various recording companies on compact disc.

  • Lawrence Tibbett: From Broadway to Hollywood, Nimbus Records, UPC 710357788123 [1]
  • Porgy and Bess (Original Cast Recordings) (1935-1942), Naxos Records, 8.110219-20 [2]