An operatic approach to the social reality of Afro-American culture by D.Heyward and G.Gershwin: Porgy and Bess

This study is on the opera Porgy and Bess by G.Gershwin, which takes place among important works of art in the World and American operatic repertory. The social life of Afro-Americans from the perspective of playwriter D. Heyward, the creative process of the work, its dramatic structure and critiques and debates following its performance are included in the study.The life and works of Dubose Heward, the American poet, novel and playwriter who took interest in Gullahs of Afro-American origin and lived in Charleston, where he grew up, and their social life before and after the American Civil War are examined in Part One, as well as his approach to the black community in his novel ?Porgy?.In Part Two, the ife and works of George Gershwin, one of the most important composers of 20th century American music who created Porgy and Bess by combining American jazz and blues music with the classical art form of opera, are mentioned.The dramatic structure, creative process and musical structure of the opera ?Porgy and Bess? are analyzed in Part Three. The debates over the question of whether the work is ?an opera or a musical?? and discussions of racism are also examined in this part.