Annotation

“The song is sung multiple times throughout Porgy and Bess, first by Clara in Act I as a lullaby (namely, this work) and soon after as counterpoint to the craps game scene ("Roll them bones"); in Act II in a reprise by Clara; and in Act III by Bess, singing to Clara.”

Annotation last modified on 2014-10-15 05:48 UTC.

Relationships

lyricist:Ira Gershwin
DuBose Heyward
composer:George Gershwin (composer) (from 1934 until 1935)
referred to in medleys:Porgy and Bess (Suite): Introduction / Jasbo Brown Blues / Summertime
later versions:Summertime (American songbook standard from 1935 opera Porgy and Bess)
part of:Porgy and Bess: Act I, Scene I (order: 2)
arrangements:Porgy and Bess: Summertime (for violin and piano, arr. Heifetz)
Summertime (catch-all for arrangements)

Recordings

DateTitleAttributesArtistLength
recordings
1935-10-14Porgy and Bess: Act I. Lullaby (Summertime)Helen Jepson, Alexander Smallens2:34
1940-05-15Porgy and Bess: Act I, Scene 1. SummertimeAnne Brown2:26
1940-05-15Porgy and Bess: Overture and SummertimeDecca Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Smallens / Anne Brown?:??
1952-09-21Porgy & Bess: Act One, Scene I. Summertime (live, 1952-09-21: Titania Palast, Berlin, Germany)liveHelen Colbert, Choir of the Blevins Davis & Robert Breen production, RIAS‐Unterhaltungsorchester, Alexander Smallens2:20
1952-09-21Porgy & Bess: Act One, Scene I. Summertime – seven come, seven to pappy! (live, 1952-09-21: Titania Palast, Berlin, Germany)liveHelen Colbert, Joseph James, Choir of the Blevins Davis & Robert Breen production, RIAS‐Unterhaltungsorchester, Alexander Smallens0:58
1962-04Porgy and Bess: "Summertime" (Clara, Chorus)Anna Moffo, Lehman Engel2:15
1963-05-13 – 1963-05-17Porgy and Bess: Introduction / SummertimeRCA Victor Orchestra, Skitch Henderson4:54
1965Porgy & Bess: "Summertime"liveLeontyne Price, David Garvey2:11
1986-06Porgy and Bess: Act I, Scene 1. “Summertime”New York Choral Artists, Kiri Te Kanawa, New Princess Theater Orchestra, John McGlinn2:42
1998Porgy and Bess, Act I: SummertimeCincinnati Pops Orchestra, Erich Kunzel2:34
2006-03-31Porgy and Bess: SummertimeNatalie Jones, The Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Thomas Woods2:58
2012-03Porgy and Bess: SummertimeNikki Renée Daniels, Joshua Henry, Natasha Yvette Williams & Company2:40
2017-03SummertimeClaron McFadden, Anima Eterna Brugge, Jos van Immerseel3:25
2020-03Porgy and Bess: SummertimeAngel Blue, Morgan State University Choir, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Marin Alsop2:40
Introduction / Jazzbo Brown Blues / Summertime (Clara)Roberta Alexander, Siegfried Stöckigt, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Leonard Slatkin8:43
Introduction / SummertimeinstrumentalThe Bethlehem Orchestra, Russ Garcia / Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra1:25
Porgy & Bess : SummertimeBBC Symphony Chorus, Kiri Te Kanawa, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis2:40
Porgy and Bess (Summertime)Dame Kiri Te Kanawa2:43
Porgy and Bess, Act 1: SummertimeLeontyne Price2:55
Porgy and Bess, Act I Scene 1: SummertimeinstrumentalAcademy of St Martin in the Fields4:17
Porgy and Bess, Act I, Scene 1: Summertime (1976 Houston Grand Opera cast)George Gershwin2:39
Porgy and Bess: Act I, Scene I. "Summertime" - "Oh, nobody knows when the Lawd is goin' to call..." - "I been sweatin' all day"Barbara Hendricks, The Cleveland Orchestra, Lorin Maazel8:46
Porgy and Bess: Act I, Scene I. "Summertime" (Clara, Chorus)Harolyn Blackwell, Glyndebourne Chorus, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Simon Rattle3:28
Porgy and Bess: Act I, SummertimeGerman Brass3:26
Porgy and Bess: Act I. Opening Chorus and SummertimeBulgarian National Radio Choir, Alexandrina Milcheva5:24
Porgy and Bess: Summertime[unknown]2:10
Porgy and Bess: SummertimeLesley Garrett2:55
Porgy and Bess: SummertimeNicole Cabell, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Davis2:57
Porgy and Bess: SummertimeKiri Te Kanawa2:45
Porgy and Bess: SummertimeLeontyne Price3:46
Porgy and Bess: SummertimeLeontyne Price2:30
Porgy and Bess: SummertimeLeontyne Price2:28
Porgy and Bess. Act I: Summertime and the Livin' Is EasyBulgarian State Radio Orchestra, Alexander Vladigerov3:02
Prelude and SummertimeAbbie Mitchell?:??
Suite de "Porgy and Bess" - SummertimeinstrumentalNew Symphony Orchestra of London, René Leibowitz3:11
SummertimeMarti Webb & Mark Rattray2:29
SummertimeHarolyn Blackwell, Glyndebourne Chorus, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Simon Rattle3:07
SummertimeBetty Roché3:48
Summertime (from "Porgy and Bees")instrumentalWilliam Aide, Ofra Harnoy2:16
Summertime (Porgy & Bess)Leontyne Price, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan3:10
Summertime (Porgy and Bess)Renée Fleming, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine4:17
Summertime (reprise)partialBetty Roché1:22
Summertime (reprise)partialBetty Roché1:12
Summertime from Porgy and BessAlexandrina Milcheva, Bulgarian Radio Chorus, Bulgarian Radio Orchestra, Alexander Vladigerov3:05