Great Performances Season 49 Episode 14 GP at the Met: New Year's Eve Gala

GP at the Met: New Year's Eve Gala is a special episode of the highly acclaimed Great Performances series. In this episode, viewers are invited to join one of the most exciting events of the year – the New Year's Eve Gala at the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

The New Year's Eve Gala is a time-honored tradition at the Met and has been taking place since 1907. Every year, the event features a star-studded lineup of performers, dazzling production design, and of course, the iconic ball drop at midnight. This year, as in years past, the gala promises to be a spectacular celebration of music and the arts.

Viewers of Great Performances will have an exclusive front-row seat to the festivities, which will be broadcast in high definition with full surround sound. Throughout the show, host Audra McDonald will guide viewers through the performances and provide behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the gala.

The lineup of performers for GP at the Met: New Year's Eve Gala is a veritable who's who of the opera world. The gala will feature world-renowned tenor Jonas Kaufmann, who will perform arias from Verdi, Massenet, and Puccini. Acclaimed soprano Angel Blue will also make a special appearance, singing songs from her new album, "Joy Alone."

In addition to these powerhouse singers, the gala will feature breathtaking performances by some of the world's most talented dancers. The American Ballet Theatre will perform a selection of classic works, including excerpts from "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker."

As if that weren't enough, the New Year's Eve Gala will also showcase the talents of classical violinist Joshua Bell and jazz virtuoso Wynton Marsalis. Bell will perform selections from his newest album, "At Home with Friends," while Marsalis will lead his quintet in a jazz tribute to the city of New Orleans.

One of the highlights of the GP at the Met: New Year's Eve Gala promises to be the production design, which promises to transport viewers to a magical world of music and dance. The elaborate sets and costumes will be designed by the Tony Award-winning team of Santo Loquasto and Catherine Zuber, who have previously collaborated on the Met's productions of "Don Giovanni" and "Cendrillon."

Throughout the evening, the Met's orchestra and chorus, under the direction of conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, will provide the musical accompaniment to the performances. The orchestra and chorus are widely regarded as among the finest in the world, and their contributions to the gala are sure to be a highlight of the evening.

The New Year's Eve Gala at the Met is an event like no other, and the GP at the Met: New Year's Eve Gala episode of Great Performances promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music and the arts. With its star-studded lineup, breathtaking performances, and stunning production design, this is one event that viewers won't want to miss. So, grab some champagne and join Great Performances for a New Year's Eve celebration like no other!