Seattle Opera regulars Gordon Hawkins and Lisa Daltirus took on Porgy and Bess, joined by several exciting young artists making their debuts with the company. Mary Elizabeth Williams, a graduate of Seattle Opera’s Young Artists Program, won Artist of the Year (tied with Patricia Racette’s Cio-Cio-San) as Serena. John DeMain, who had previously conducted two Houston Grand Opera tours of the opera in Seattle, returned to lead the musical forces. Chris Alexander won his third Artist of the Year for directing the production.