Monday, July 13, 2009

Memo to Los Angeles Philharmonic Copy Editors

That press release about the upcoming concert performances of Porgy and Bess, at the Hollywood Bowl? First thing is, I am enormously impressed that it's possible to assemble two good casts of singers for the opera. I hope to hear some of these talented singers in other operatic roles.

Next thing, you know, I agree that the amount of dialect in the libretto is slightly embarrassing in 2009, and it should be de-emphasized in performance. But I'm also reasonably sure that the libretto and score style one character's name this way:

Sportin' Life

Your press release says:

Sporting Life

Are you also changing the title of one of his big numbers to "It Isn't Necessarily So"? Please don't. Ira will roll over in his grave.

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