A former Houstonian, tenor David Brewer leads the excitement when the Houston Ebony Opera presents highlights from the Gershwin classic Porgy & Bess. Rich, vibrant and ultimately heartbreaking, Porgy & Bessย’s most loved songs include ย“Summertime,ย” ย“I Got Plenty oย’ Nuttin,ย” ย“It Ainย’t Necessarily Soย” and, of course, ย“I Loves You, Porgy.ย” The Gershwin opera holds a special place in the HEOย’s repertoire ย— it was the first full-length production the African-American company ever produced. The HEOย’s annual ย“Opera Gemsย” concert, this show also features the talents of New York soprano Geraldine McMillian, dramatic soprano Joan Bolden Hubert and Houstonย’s own bass-baritone Dorceal Duckens. Willie Anthony Waters, HEOย’s artistic director, will be at the podium.

This article appears in Aug 2-8, 2007.