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American Spectacular

American Spectacular

The Evanston Symphony Orchestra for its upcoming Valentine’s Day concert will perform two classic American works: selections from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin and The Red Pony Suite by Aaron Copland.

Porgy and Bess remains one of the United States’ most famous American operas. Composed in 1934 by George Gershwin with a libretto written by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin, it's based on Heyward’s novel, Porgy, and later play by the same title. It's about Porgy, a disabled beggar living in the slums of Charleston, SC, who attempts to rescue Bess from Crown, her violent and possessive lover, and Sportin' Life, the drug dealer.

Because of its racially charged subject matter, it failed to receive a strong public reception when it was first performed in New York City on Sept. 30, 1935. However, it gained new popularity when the Houston Grand Opera performed it in 1976. The opera’s popularity continues to this day, with enduring songs such as “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So” and “I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin’,” though its stereotypical depictions of black characters still generate discussion. As an added bonus, world-famous harmonica player and Evanstonian Howard Levy will accompany the ESO on these selections.

Copland, meanwhile, wrote The Red Pony in 1948 for a Lewis Milestone film of the same name. The movie, which starred Myrna Loy and Robert Mitchum (and featured Margaret Hamilton of “Wizard of Oz” fame), is based on a book of four interrelated stories by John Steinbeck, who also wrote its screenplay. After writing the score for the film, Copland produced a suite from the film score for concert performance. The music evokes traditional American folk music, while its movements' names (“Morning on the Ranch,” “The Gift,” “Dream March,” “Circus Music,” “Walk to the Bunkhouse,” “Grandfather’s Story” and “Happy Ending”) also conjure up a quintessentially American place and time.

The Red Pony

The Red Pony