Porgy and Bess

[ pawr-gee uhn bes ]

noun

1. an opera (1935) with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin.

Porgy and Bess

1. An opera with music by George Gershwin . It depicts life in the African-American community of Charleston , South Carolina . Porgy is a handicapped beggar who protects Bess, only to have her leave town with a rival. The songs “ Summertime ” and “It Ain't Necessarily So” are from Porgy and Bess .