Opera Scotland

Porgy and Bess 2009Cape Town Opera, South Africa

Read more about the opera Porgy and Bess

This well-travelled production worked wonderfully well on a short visit to the UK with visits to three capitals. A large company of singers working together for an extended period, in a way that is nowadays impossible for British companies, allowed a real sense of community to develop. And the principals who alternated were completely different from one another - particularly in the case of Sportin' Life, but fitted in beautifully. Ntobeko Rwanqa even sang two major roles at individual performances - utterly distinct, but equally effective.

Most important, with hindsight, was the instant effect made by the opening performance of 'Summertime' - quite beautiful and a clear indicator of star quality. Even so, it was pleasing that Pretty Yende should become a regular in leading roles at the Met within a couple of years.

The performance of the orchestra was beautifully idiomatic, but then David Charles Abell was a recognized exponent of classic Broadway scores.

Needless to say, the packed theatre went wild at the end. How sad that there were only three performances in Edinburgh, following four days in Cardiff and two in London.