Opening night of Porgy and Bess at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City did not disappoint. In this special ENCORE episode, I reflect on Michelle Bradley’s Bess debut, the remarkable sense of community onstage, and the devastating beauty of Gershwin’s American masterpiece. From the power of “Summertime” to the storm that changes everything, this production reminds us why opera endures: that heartbreak is part of the beauty.