Examination 4
During the early and mid-twentieth century, America was viewed as a militant powerhouse to be reckoned with. Although America was respected for its military by foreign countries, the country faced its own racial struggles. These struggles were seen and ridiculed by foreign countries, especially by Russia. Porgy and Bess was sent to Russia to not only regulate the communist agenda but also to show Russia and the world that America took care of the blacks in its country. Although Porgy and Bess was used as… and revered by many, several African Americans did not see the opera as an accurate portrayal of their culture.
Porgy and Bess, an operatic adaptation of Dubose Heyward’s novel Porgy, revolved around black life and culture during …show more content…
“For years it was performed more frequently in Europe, where it was considered a true American opera, than in America” (Erb). Songs like “Summertime” and “Bess, You is My Woman Now” became very popular and are still popular today. The show toured America and most of Europe, including Russia. The show was seen as a way to infiltrate Soviet propaganda in Russia. The History Channel Staff said that “Porgy and Bess, not only illustrated that Americans did not lack culture, it was also a response to critics, particularly the Soviets, who maintained that America was a racist nation.” C.D. Jackson stated that the cast would be face of racial equality in their “elegant” attire and their confidence offstage. It was also understood that the cast’s ability to communicate with most Russians would be limited. However, that did not prevent the U.S. State Department from warning the cast to not discuss the racial status of America while in Russia. Americans also wanted to dispel the notion that America had a strong army but lacked culture (Stephan 192). The deal to send Porgy and Bess to Russia was part of a previously agreed exchange between the countries. In October of 1955, Russia sent two of its own musicians to America, pianist Emil Gilels and violinist David Oistrakh (Prevots …show more content…
America was highly scrutinized for its treatment of blacks. Porgy and Bess was America’s way of portraying a sense of racial equality to other countries. Although America did not completely succeed in accomplishing its goal, it did help give Porgy and Bess international recognition and gave them an opportunity they might not have ever been given before.
Works Cited
Erb, Jane. "George Gershwin: Porgy and Bess, 1934." Classical Net. 1996. Web. 4 Oct. 2015.
History.com Staff. "Porgy and Bess Opens in Leningrad." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 4 Oct. 2015.
Noonan, Ellen. "The Strange Career of Porgy and Bess." Google Books. 2012. Web. 3 Oct. 2015.
Preevots, Naima. "Dance for Export." Google Books. Wesleyan University Press, 2012. Web. 10 Oct. 2015.
Standifor, James. "The Tumultuous Life of Porgy and Bess." The Tumultuous Life of Porgy and Bess. Web. 4 Oct. 2015.
Stephan, Alexander. "The Americanization of Europe." Google Books. Berghahn Books, 2006. Web. 10 Oct.
During the early and mid-twentieth century, America was viewed as a militant powerhouse to be reckoned with. Although America was respected for its military by foreign countries, the country faced its own racial struggles. These struggles were seen and ridiculed by foreign countries, especially by Russia. Porgy and Bess was sent to Russia to not only regulate the communist agenda but also to show Russia and the world that America took care of the blacks in its country. Although Porgy and Bess was used as… and revered by many, several African Americans did not see the opera as an accurate portrayal of their culture.
Porgy and Bess, an operatic adaptation of Dubose Heyward’s novel Porgy, revolved around black life and culture during …show more content…
“For years it was performed more frequently in Europe, where it was considered a true American opera, than in America” (Erb). Songs like “Summertime” and “Bess, You is My Woman Now” became very popular and are still popular today. The show toured America and most of Europe, including Russia. The show was seen as a way to infiltrate Soviet propaganda in Russia. The History Channel Staff said that “Porgy and Bess, not only illustrated that Americans did not lack culture, it was also a response to critics, particularly the Soviets, who maintained that America was a racist nation.” C.D. Jackson stated that the cast would be face of racial equality in their “elegant” attire and their confidence offstage. It was also understood that the cast’s ability to communicate with most Russians would be limited. However, that did not prevent the U.S. State Department from warning the cast to not discuss the racial status of America while in Russia. Americans also wanted to dispel the notion that America had a strong army but lacked culture (Stephan 192). The deal to send Porgy and Bess to Russia was part of a previously agreed exchange between the countries. In October of 1955, Russia sent two of its own musicians to America, pianist Emil Gilels and violinist David Oistrakh (Prevots …show more content…
America was highly scrutinized for its treatment of blacks. Porgy and Bess was America’s way of portraying a sense of racial equality to other countries. Although America did not completely succeed in accomplishing its goal, it did help give Porgy and Bess international recognition and gave them an opportunity they might not have ever been given before.
Works Cited
Erb, Jane. "George Gershwin: Porgy and Bess, 1934." Classical Net. 1996. Web. 4 Oct. 2015.
History.com Staff. "Porgy and Bess Opens in Leningrad." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 4 Oct. 2015.
Noonan, Ellen. "The Strange Career of Porgy and Bess." Google Books. 2012. Web. 3 Oct. 2015.
Preevots, Naima. "Dance for Export." Google Books. Wesleyan University Press, 2012. Web. 10 Oct. 2015.
Standifor, James. "The Tumultuous Life of Porgy and Bess." The Tumultuous Life of Porgy and Bess. Web. 4 Oct. 2015.
Stephan, Alexander. "The Americanization of Europe." Google Books. Berghahn Books, 2006. Web. 10 Oct.