Gershwin: Porgy & Bess

Columbia's 1951 Porgy and Bess set new standards for recorded opera during the LP era's teething stage. Choral, solo, and orchestral forces emerge with three-dimensional clarity that brings you closer to the characters and the story. Sound effects also help, but the rattling dice overstay their welcome. The superb cast not only sings with warmth and flair, but also relishes their words to the point that you need not follow the libretto. Lehman Engel moves things along nicely, but sometimes whips up tempos at climaxes, Broadway style. The word "complete" graces the CD jacket, so you won't learn about the cuts unless you listen with score or read the booklet notes. --Jed Distler