“The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess: A Symposium” is a multi-day event that specifically engages with issues of race, representation, activism, and appropriation in this opera. Friday presents a full day of performances and panel discussions on the context of the work, its characters, its reception, and its impact on the careers of singers of color, with a keynote lecture by Dr. Kyra Gaunt. Our performances and discussions continue on Saturday with a recital of songs from the opera’s period, a panel discussion on black performance and performativity in the early 20th century, and a panel of related student papers. This symposium prepares audiences for the Saturday evening performance of the opera produced by the UMS and the School of Music, Theatre & Dance in Hill Auditorium. Registration is required. Please visit http://myumi.ch/L1mjn for more information and to register.

The Symposium will be live-streamed:

Friday events: https://livestream.com/accounts/13187677/events/8014706

Saturday events: https://livestream.com/accounts/13187677/events/8014718