By Jason Swank, Marketing & PR Director at The Akron Symphony

Big news on the Porgy and Bess front this week. Not only did we officially announce the chorus and supporting role audition details at last weekend’s African American Festival, but I am really excited to report the first major casting news for the production. The Akron Symphony’s April 2011 production of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess will star Alvy Powell and Marquita Lister in the respective title roles. Not only did they both perform the parts for Maestro Christopher Wilkins in a production with the Orlando Philharmonic last year, but they both have become internationally recognized as two of the very best performers for the demanding roles of Porgy and Bess.

Mr. Powell has performed the role of Porgy more than 1,200 times, including a 2009 performance at Carnegie Hall and PBS’s Emmy-nominated Live at Lincoln Center broadcast of the New York City Opera production. Marquita Lister is equally synonymous with the role of Bess and performed opposite Powell in the Lincoln Center broadcast.

Both are also featured on the Nashville Symphony’s recording ofPorgy and Bess released on the Decca label. Listen to samples or purchase the album from Amazon.com.

To follow the latest news surrounding the ASO’s production of Porgy and Bess, keep checking this blog as well as our Facebook page. More soon…