Great Performances

Watch Great Performances

  • TV-G
  • 1972
  • 51 Seasons
  • 7.9  (915)

Great Performances is a television anthology series dedicated to the performing arts, airing on PBS since 1972. The long-running show features performances of music, dance, opera, theater, and other artistic genres from around the world. Great Performances offers viewers a front-row seat to outstanding performances captured live on stage or filmed on location.

The series has been a staple of PBS programming for over 50 years, making Great Performances one of the longest-running programs on American television. Over the decades, the show has covered a diverse array of artists and genres ranging from classical music to contemporary pop, with legendary stars like Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, and Mikhail Baryshnikov gracing the Great Performances stage.

Great Performances captures the electricity of live performance and allows viewers to experience the arts in an intimate, up-close setting. The show’s production values are impeccable, filming on location at renowned venues like the Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, and Covent Garden. State-of-the-art techniques like multiple camera angles, careful audio mixing, and HD video create a visually stunning and sonically rich experience for home audiences.

The series also provides illuminating background and interviews with the featured artists, giving context about the material and offering insight into their creative process. Viewers get a multifaceted look at what goes into live performance at the highest level. Whether showcasing emerging talent or superstar artists, Great Performances offers an unparalleled look at the vibrant world of the performing arts.

Over its long history, Great Performances has been recognized with numerous awards including over 70 Emmy Awards. The show has also featured important talent behind the camera like distinguished directors Kirk Browning and John Caird. Great Performances continues to evolve with the times, integrating digital media and exploring new frontiers like dance for film. However, the core mission remains to showcase diverse world-class arts programming not found anywhere else on television.

For over five decades, Great Performances has made the performing arts accessible to millions who otherwise might not have the opportunity. The show has nurtured a deeper love and appreciation for music, theater, dance, and culture. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado of the arts or someone looking to broaden your horizons, Great Performances offers an engaging look at incredible artistry that both entertains and inspires.

Great Performances is a series that ran for 51 seasons (290 episodes) between November 4, 1972 and on PBS

Great Performances
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Seasons
Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2024
27. Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2024
August 23, 2024
Enjoy the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic’s annual open-air concert from the gardens of Austria’s Imperial Schönbrunn Palace, featuring Andris Nelsons as guest conductor joined by soprano Lise Davidsen as guest soloist.
Great Performances at the Met: Roméo et Juliette
26. Great Performances at the Met: Roméo et Juliette
August 4, 2024
Soprano Nadine Sierra and tenor Benjamin Bernheim portray Shakespeare’s famed star-crossed lovers in Gounod’s adaptation with Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin at the podium. Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher directs and Ryan Speedo Green hosts.
Great Performances at the Met: La Forza del Destino
25. Great Performances at the Met: La Forza del Destino
July 7, 2024
Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Verdi’s grand tale of love, deadly vendetta, and family strife with soprano Lise Davidsen starring as Leonora, one of the repertory’s most tormented heroines.
Great Performances at the Met: Carmen
24. Great Performances at the Met: Carmen
June 14, 2024
Acclaimed English director Carrie Cracknell makes her Met debut, resetting the classic story to the modern day that moves the focus to issues that could not be more relevant today: gendered violence, abusive labor structures, and the desire to break through societal boundaries.
Rodgers & Hammerstein's 80th Anniversary
23. Rodgers & Hammerstein's 80th Anniversary
May 31, 2024
Directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 80th Anniversary features an all-star cast at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, including Michael Ball, Daniel Dae Kim, Maria Friedman, Audra McDonald, Julian Ovenden and more.
In Memoriam: Jac Venza
22. In Memoriam: Jac Venza
May 30, 2024
Great Performances mourns the passing of its founding Executive Producer, Jac Venza, who was one of pioneering leaders of American public media for over three decades, and a major force in harnessing the power of television to achieve international recognition for America’s leading performing artists.
Purlie Victorious
21. Purlie Victorious
May 24, 2024
Starring Leslie Odom Jr., this comedic play tells the story of a Black preacher’s scheme to reclaim his inheritance and win back his church from a plantation owner.
Audra McDonald at the London Palladium
20. Audra McDonald at the London Palladium
May 17, 2024
The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards as well as two Grammy awards and an Emmy, Audra McDonald performs a repertoire of classic Broadway songs, including “I Am What I Am,” “Summertime,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” and many more.
Hamlet
19. Hamlet
May 10, 2024
From The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park, experience this Shakespearean classic directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon featuring Tony Award nominee Ato Blankson-Wood (“Slave Play”) in the title role and Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia (“Hadestown”).
Great Performances at the Met: Nabucco
18. Great Performances at the Met: Nabucco
May 5, 2024
Ancient Babylon comes to life in this production of Verdi’s early masterpiece. Baritone George Gagnidze makes his Met role debut as the imperious king Nabucco, alongside soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska reprising her turn as his vengeful daughter, Abigaille. Daniele Callegari conducts and Angel Blue hosts.
Now Hear This: The Composer is Yoo
17. Now Hear This: The Composer is Yoo
May 3, 2024
Follow host Scott Yoo’s journey to compose a piece of music for the first time. Seeking counsel from other composers, Yoo revisits his heritage in search of ideas, performs landmark pieces for inspiration and ultimately tests his work in progress.
Old Friends
16. Old Friends
April 26, 2024
Explore how virtuosos become maestros and discover their guiding principles through host Scott Yoo’s long friendships with Grammy winner Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Richard Kogan and violinist Lynn Chang.
Now Hear This “Virtuosos”
15. Now Hear This “Virtuosos”
April 19, 2024
Explore the work of two legendary virtuosos, Niccolò Paganini and Robert Johnson, along with stars of today, Augustin Hadelich and Keb' Mo'. Joined by Cirque du Soleil acrobats, discover the secrets of being a virtuoso.
Now Hear This “Rising Stars”
14. Now Hear This “Rising Stars”
April 12, 2024
Visit Julliard Pre-College with Scott Yoo to play with some of tomorrow’s virtuosos and travel to Singapore to meet rising star, Chloe Chua, who reminds Yoo of the dedication and passion required to prepare for a professional career.
Great Performances at the Met: Florencia en el Amazonas
13. Great Performances at the Met: Florencia en el Amazonas
April 7, 2024
Inspired by the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez, Mexican composer Daniel Catán’s 1996 opera tells the story of an opera diva who returns to her native South America to perform at the legendary opera house of Manaus—and to search for her lost lover, who has vanished into the jungle. Starring soprano Ailyn Pérez, Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Mary Zimmerman’s new production.
Great Performances at the Met: Dead Man Walking
12. Great Performances at the Met: Dead Man Walking
April 15, 2024
Experience Ivo van Hove’s production of composer Jake Heggie’s opera in its Met premiere. With a libretto by Terrence McNally, Joyce DiDonato stars as Sister Helen based on the real-life memoir about her fight for the soul of a condemned murderer.
George Jones: Still Playin' Possum
11. George Jones: Still Playin' Possum
February 23, 2024
Honor one of the most beloved stars in country music history with this all-star tribute concert.
The LA Phil Celebrates Frank Gehry
10. The LA Phil Celebrates Frank Gehry
February 16, 2024
Celebrate 20 years at Walt Disney Concert Hall with the LA Phil in a tribute to its architect. Led by Gustavo Dudamel, the concert includes a piece composed and conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, performances by Herbie Hancock and H.E.R., and more.
From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2024
8. From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2024
January 1, 2024
Celebrate the new year with this beloved annual concert featuring the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein. Hosted for the seventh consecutive year by PBS favorite Hugh Bonneville, the concert will include waltzes and polkas by Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss, Eduard Strauss as well as favorites by Joseph Hellmesberger, Jr. and others. Guest conducted by three-time Grammy nominee Christian Thielemann and featuring dances choreographed by Davide Bombana with soloists from the Vienna State Ballet.
Making Shakespeare: The First Folio
7. Making Shakespeare: The First Folio
November 17, 2023
Celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio, which saved 18 plays from being lost. Tracing the First Folio’s story, the film also spotlights how New York City’s Public Theater presents Shakespeare’s work for today’s audiences.
Great Performances at the Met: Die Zauberflöte
6. Great Performances at the Met: Die Zauberflöte
December 10, 2023
Experience director Simon McBurney’s Met debut with a new production of this Mozart favorite. Nathalie Stutzmann conducts with Lawrence Brownlee as Tamino, Erin Morley as Pamina, Thomas Oliemans as Papageno and Kathryn Lewek as the Queen of the Night.
Great Performances at the Met: Champion
5. Great Performances at the Met: Champion
November 5, 2023
Six-time Grammy Award–winning composer Terence Blanchard returns to the Met with an opera based on the true story of boxer Emile Griffith, who rose from obscurity to become a world champion despite being a closeted bisexual.
Message in a Bottle
4. Message in a Bottle
November 3, 2023
Experience five-time Olivier Award nominee Kate Prince’s dance and theater show set to the songs of 17-time Grammy winner Sting. Telling the story of a migrant family, the show from London’s Sadler's Wells Theatre features a mix of dance styles.
New York City Ballet in Madrid
3. New York City Ballet in Madrid
October 27, 2023
Captured in peak performance at Madrid’s Teatro Real, New York City Ballet performs two masterpieces choreographed by NYCB co-founder and original Artistic Director George Balanchine, “Serenade” and “Square Dance" as well as a piece by current resident choreographer Justin Peck.
Great Performances at the Met: Don Giovanni
2. Great Performances at the Met: Don Giovanni
October 1, 2023
Tony Award–winning director Ivo van Hove makes his Met debut with a new take on Mozart’s tragicomedy. Maestro Nathalie Stutzmann also makes her Met debut, conducting the cast led by baritone Peter Mattei in the title role alongside bass-baritone Adam Plachetka as Leporello.
Great Performances at the Met: Der Rosenkavalier
1. Great Performances at the Met: Der Rosenkavalier
September 10, 2023
Strauss’s grand Viennese comedy includes soprano Lise Davidsen as the aging Marschallin, opposite mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey as her lover Octavian and soprano Erin Morley as Sophie, the beautiful younger woman who steals his heart. Bass Günther Groissböck returns as the churlish Baron Ochs, and Markus Brück is Sophie’s wealthy father, Faninal.
Description
Where to Watch Great Performances
Great Performances is available for streaming on the PBS website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Great Performances on demand at Vudu and PBS.
  • Premiere Date
    November 4, 1972
  • IMDB Rating
    7.9  (915)