As stated in the text on page 361, “Opera has never been as popular in America as it has in many European countries.” In fact, the American opera that is the most famous, George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess”, is not a true opera at all, “but rather, in the composer’s words, a ‘folk opera.’”

Do you think that “Porgy and Bess” should even be considered an opera? Explain your answer.

While opera is not as popular in the United States as in Europe, musicals are very popular. Give a few reasons as to why you think musicals are more popular than opera in the United States.

Also, do you think that the distinctions between Opera and Operatic Musicals (listed in the text on page 360) are valid or artificial, or a combination of both. Give examples and reasons to support your answer