Final answer:
The musical structure and style of Porgy and Bess, as well as its intended audience and performance tradition, are the main factors that complicate whether it is considered an opera or a musical.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the main factors that complicates whether Porgy and Bess is considered an opera or a musical is the musical structure and style of the piece. While it has elements of both opera and musical theater, the emphasis on character development, spoken dialogue, and popular music influences leans more towards being classified as a musical.
Another complicating factor is the intended audience and performance tradition of the work. Operas are typically performed in a more formal setting, such as an opera house, with trained opera singers, while musicals are often performed in commercial theaters with performers who have both singing and acting abilities.
Ultimately, the classification of Porgy and Bess may vary depending on individual interpretations and the production's creative choices, but these two factors continue to complicate its categorization as either an opera or a musical.