《波吉和貝絲》(Porgy and Bess)

《波吉和貝絲》(Porgy and Bess)是一部美國歌劇, 由George Gershwin根據他妻子的小說《Porgy》改篇創作而成, 以非裔美國人1920年代初在南卡羅來納州, 查爾斯頓地區所虛擬的Cabbage Row的生活寫照為主。當中的Summertime成為家喻戶曉的作品, 版本甚多, 我們香港人自幼已經從音樂課中聽過這首歌。

在30s的社會, 作品的作詞人之一大膽地選擇了非裔美國人Eva Jessye擔任音樂劇的合唱總監, 並把藍調以及爵士樂的元素融入需要專業古典音樂和聲樂訓練的音樂主調當中。所有人都非常滿意作品, 但在當年充滿歧視的社會當中, 批評者和爭議的人依然甚多, 直到70年代後期, 作品才被公認為經典之作。

有關Porgy and Bess的作品當然不少, 特別是Louis Armstrong和Ella Fitzgerald在1957年的合作版本, 後來也出現不少出色的版本和交響樂版本如:

Various – Porgy And Bess (An Original Sound Track Recording) OS 2016 (指揮- André Previn, 第一版, Vocals [Bess] – Dorothy Dandridge; Vocals [Maria] – Pearl Bailey; Vocals [Porgy] – Robert McFerrin; Vocals [Sportin' Life] – Cab Calloway, 二眼仔) Columbia Masterworks $140 NM/ NM Made in US Year:1959

Gershwin, Simon Estes, Roberta Alexander, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Leonard Slatkin – Porgy And Bess (Highlights • Querschnitt) 412 720-1 (指揮- Leonard Slatkin, 第一版, Vocals [Bess, Clara, Serena] – Roberta Alexander; Vocals [Maria] – Diane Curry; Vocals [Porgy, Sportin' Life] – Simon Estes ) Philips Digital Classics $160 NM/ NM Made in Netherlands Year: 1985

Bernstein, Gershwin, Robert Russell Bennett conducting the RCA Symphony Orchestra – West Side Story / Porgy and Bess VICS-1491 (指揮- Robert Russell Bennett ) RCA Victrola $140 NM/ NM Made in US Year: 1959

Gershwin / Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra / Leonard Slatkin – An American In Paris - Catfish Row (Suite From "Porgy And Bess") - Promenade QTV-S 34594 Turnabout $120 NM/ NM Made in US Year:1975

Robert Russell Bennett Conducting The RCA Victor Symphony, Bernstein – Symphonic Picture Of Gershwin's Porgy And Bess / Dance Music From West Side Story LSC-2340 (Living Stereo) RCA Victor Red Seal $180 Sleeve: NM/ Media: EX Made in US Year: 1959