Porgy and Bess returns stronger than ever at the Met

Brittany Renee (Bess) and Alfred Walker (Porgy)

The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess

Latonia Moore (Serena), Denyce Graves (Maria) and Vuvu Mpofu (Clara)

Frederick Ballentine (Sportin' Life)

Alfred Walker (Porgy)

By Robert Levine, 10 December 2025

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“the large cast... react realistically to one another; they have known each other for years”

Reviewed at Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera House, New York City on 7 December 2025

Gershwin, Porgy and Bess

Metropolitan Opera

Kwamé Ryan, Conductor

James Robinson, Director

Michael Yeargan, Set Designer

Catherine Zuber, Costume Designer

Donald Holder, Lighting Designer

The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

The Metropolitan Opera Chorus

Luke Halls, Video

Alfred Walker, Porgy

Brittany Renee, Bess

Ryan Speedo Green, Crown

Frederick Ballentine, Sportin’ Life

Latonia Moore, Serena

Benjamin Taylor, Jake

Vuvu Mpofu, Clara

Denyce Graves, Maria

Camille A Brown, Choreography

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Robert Levine

Robert T. Levine is a New York born-and-bred music writer with a particular interest in music for the voice. His work has appeared in many periodicals and newspapers. He is the author of many books, including The Story of the Orchestra, four volumes in the Black Dog & Leventhal Opera Library, and, most recently, Maria Callas: A Musical Biography.

Porgy and Bess returns stronger than ever at the Metropolitan Opera