Considered ‘the peoples’ opera, Porgy and Bess is a gripping story of constantly threatened love, hope and happiness, amidst poverty and hardship.

After sell-out performances at London’s West End, Cape Town Opera's International smash-hit production of Porgy and Bess, which has been touring for four years, comes to Cape Town.

Christine Crouse’s lively and emotionally searching production moves the setting from 1920s Catfish Row, Charleston, to Soweto in the 1970s and there is no denying the power of its message or the vocal power of its messengers. With hit songs such as ‘Summertime’, ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So and I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin’, Porgy and Bess is perhaps the easiest of all operas and CTO’s production is as good as it gets. Xolela Sixaba plays the crippled Porgy and Nonhlanhla Yende takes on the role of Bess - both played the lead roles at the opening performance on London’s West End and head the cast in the three Cape Town performances.

The Stage has described Xolela Sixaba’s performance as the disabled hero "a tremendous achievement, acted with dignity and heart-stopping humanity. His super-enriched bass-baritone is superb as an instrument and deployed with indelible eloquence." Albert Horne and Tim Murray conducts the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra while Michael Mitchell and Kobus Rossouw enhances the evening with striking set, costume and lighting designs. Sibonakaliso Ndaba’s choreography was said to be a blend of Broadway, Hollywood and township, adding a pulsating dynamism to this production.

Porgy and Besss will be performed at the Artscape Opera House on Sept 29, Oct 4 and 6. Tickets range between R100 - R250 and are available via Computicket or the Artscape Box office 021-4109821.