1. George Gershwin 1898-1937 Born Brooklyn, New York Began piano at age 10 Age 15-dropped out of school –Write songs –Made piano rolls –Vaudeville 1924-Collaborated with brother Ira on Lady Be Good (musical) –Many more musicals

2. George Gershwin 1898-1937 1924-Rhapsody in Blue –First major example of Third Stream (a musical genre which is a synthesis of classical music and jazz.) Traveled to Paris –Composed An American in Paris 1935- Porgy and Bess 1937-Death from brain cancer Nominated for Oscar posthumously

3. Music and Style Broadway/Popular Third stream/Jazz French influence Intrigued by the Second Viennese School

4. Porgy and Bess Called a ‘folk opera’ Premiered on Broadway 1935 Use of recitative, leitmotif, polytonality, tone row Also, ‘black music’ and popular 1976-legitimized my Houston Grand Opera Controversial: “racist” Set in the 30’s on the waterfront of Charleston, South Carolina