Hungary The Observer Hungarian opera boss defends using white cast to stage Porgy and Bess State company accused of ‘political agenda’ over decision to set Gershwin show in a refugee centre A scene from the controversial Porgy and Bess production by Hungarian state opera. Photograph: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty ImagesHungary’s state opera company has defended itself against charges of racism after it staged Porgy and Bess with a largely white cast in open defiance of the wishes of its composers, the Gershwin brothers. The opera company was forced to declare on publicity material that its production was “unauthorised [and] contrary to the requirements for the presentation of the work”. He claimed there was no mention of the black cast rule on the resulting contract, leading him to believe the company was free to cast at will. Why else would Hungarian state opera stage a production of Porgy and Bess two months before the election?”

Source: The Guardian February 10, 2018 21:00 UTC