Renee, Cambridge, and Packer Shine in Washington National Opera's Porgy and Bess
- ebrown9879
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Alyson Cambridge (Bess) and Chauncey Packer (Sportin' Life) in WNO's Porgy and Bess | Photo: Cory Weaver
Washington National Opera closed their season with a critically acclaimed production of Porgy and Bess, starring Brittany Renee and Alyson Cambridge as Bess in alternating casts and Chauncey Packer as Sportin' Life in all ten performances. Check out out some of the glowing reviews below!
"Soprano Brittany Renee as Bess was nuanced and specific in her acting choices as she portrayed a complex woman...Ms. Renee glided across the stage with a natural ease and brisk style that suited her character well. [Her] lustrous soprano was full of a rich, pleasing tone and captivating control. [Her] delivery of the classic 'Summertime' (reprise) was sublime."
"This faith- driven life is mocked by the wily character of Sportin’ Life (the sparkling tenor of Chauncey Packer)...Mr. Packer exuded a sense of gleeful fatalism with an agile and exuberant charisma in his role."
"Speaking of Crown and Bess, Alyson Cambridge and Norman Garrett absolutely sold the abusive dynamic of their couple."
Alyson Cambridge (Bess) and Chauncey Packer (Sportin' Life) in WNO's Porgy and Bess | Photo: Cory Weaver
"...soprano Brittany Renee, made an equally impressive company debut. Her dulcet soprano reached up to powerful top notes in the duet “Bess, You Is My Woman Now,” and generated profound sympathy in her blockbuster “I Loves You, Porgy” in Act II. Renee’s charismatic stage presence empowered her to embody both sides of this troublesome character, whiskey-swigging Jezebel and temporarily reformed saint."
"Chauncey Packer excelled in the character tenor role of Sportin’ Life, the flim-flamming drug dealer and gambler who finally convinces Bess to run off with him to New York. His combination of comic dance moves and vocal show never descended into cringeworthy caricature."
Commentaires