George Gershwin’s opera “Porgy and Bess,” set in the slums of Charleston, is one of the composer’s most successful and popular works. Gershwin wrote grandiose music for the exciting story of love, hate, jealousy, and discrimination that effectively combines jazz and folk elements. The intensity of the dramatic and lyrical expression, especially in the folk scenes organically linked to the plot, the choral movements of the spirituals, the melodic ingenuity, and the virtuoso instrumentation combine to make the work the most important American folk opera with world renown. Many vocal numbers from the work, like the wonderful lullaby “Summertime,” also became world famous. For the crowning finale of the festival summer 2022, the Wunderino Arena in Kiel will be transformed into a spectacular opera stage: In addition to the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra under the baton of its principal conductor Alan Gilbert, the title roles will feature Elizabeth Llewellyn as Bess, Morris Robinson as Porgy, and Golda Schultz as Clara, who recently celebrated numerous acclaimed performances in these roles at New York’s Metropolitan Opera.