Porgy and Bess Tickets

Porgy and Bess in New York City

Come on down to Catfish Row this winter as Porgy and Bess returns to Lincoln Center's Metropolitan Opera House following an acclaimed run in 2019. James Robinson’s powerful and stylish production of The Gershwin’s grand folk‑opera, about a troubled woman and the man who tries his best to save her, is “timeless [...] wholehearted and handsome” (Guardian). Don't miss this vivid, immersive production - secure your tickets today!

What is the opera Porgy and Bess about? 

Set in a fictionalized version of Charleston, South Carolina’s Catfish Row during the 1920s, the opera follows Porgy, a disabled beggar, as he attempts to save the troubled Bess from the clutches of her violent lover, Crown, and her drug dealer, Sportin’ Life. Porgy and Bess weaves a moving story of love, temptation and redemption, while the score merges spirituals, jazz, blues and European operatic form, including iconic songs like “Summertime,” “I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin’”, and “It Ain’t Necessarily So.”

Porgy and Bess premiered in Boston in 1935, adapted from DuBose Heyward’s novel and play Porgy. With a libretto by Heyward and lyricist Ira Gershwin and composition by George Gershwin, the production boldly cast Black singers in the lead roles - unprecedented at the time - and wove American folk music traditions into an operatic form.

This revival is James Robinson’s landmark staging, marking a welcome return to Gershwin’s folk‑opera masterpiece. Robinson’s “complex and exciting” (OperaWire) production, first staged in 2019, brought Porgy and Bess back to the Met after a nearly three‑decade hiatus and garnered widespread acclaim. 

Who are the cast of Porgy and Bess? 

Bass-baritone Alfred Walker (Champion, Don Carlos) stars as Porgy, opposite soprano Brittany Renee (Fire Shut Up in My Bones, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X) as Bess. The cast also includes a rotating ensemble in key roles, including Crown, Sportin’ Life, Serena, Clara and Jake, bringing the bustling Catfish Row community vividly to life.

Who are the creative team of Porgy and Bess? 

The production is directed by James Robinson (Fire Shut Up in My Bones, Champion) and conducted by Kwamé Ryan (Omar, The Factotum). Choreography is by Camille A. Brown (for colored girls, Jesus Christ Superstar Live!), design is by Michael Yeargan (The King and I, South Pacific), costumes by Catherine Zuber (Moulin Rouge! The Musical, My Fair Lady), with lighting design by Donald Holder (The Lion King, South Pacific), and projection design by Luke Halls (The Lehman Trilogy, West Side Story). 

Book Tickets for Porgy and Bess at the Met Opera Today!

This “rich and potent” (BachTrack) production unites emotional storytelling and iconic musical numbers with socially aware staging. Whether you're a lifelong opera‑lover or a curious newcomer, this revival of Porgy and Bess is your opportunity to witness one of the greatest works of American music theatre brought to life in majestic style. So grab your seat on Catfish Row - book tickets to Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera today!