John Barrymore (Christopher Plummer) banters with his line prompter Frank before beginning a rehearsal of "Richard III," in which he tries to remember the lines that once made him famous. "Barrymore" premieres Friday, January 30 at 9 pm ET on PBS. Check local listings.

In this opening scene excerpt, acting legend John Barrymore (Christopher Plummer) introduces himself to the audience. He explains the anticipated revival of his "Richard III" production and mixes a drink to toast his late friend and fellow alcoholic, Henry.

Tchaikovsky’s romantic tragedy Eugene Onegin, starring Anna Netrebko, Mariusz Kwiecien, and Piotr Beczala, is the season premiere of THIRTEEN’s Great Performances at the Met. This past fall, Anna Netrebko opened her third consecutive Met season — which will mark her ninth Great Performances at the Met broadcast — in her company role debut as Tatiana, the naïve heroine from Pushkin’s classic novel.

Julie Andrews hosts this annual New Year's Day celebration with the Vienna Philharmonic. Daniel Barenboim conducts a program of melodies by the Strauss family and their contemporaries. The City Palace (Stadtpalais Liechtenstein), which has returned to all its former glory after a renovation, is the setting for both of the Vienna State Ballet’s interludes featuring costumes by Vivienne Westwood.

This one-hour program airing in late November and December is dedicated to the great tenor, Luciano Pavarotti. It includes his performances of “Nessun Dorma” and other beloved arias from La Boheme, Rigoletto and Aida. See Pavarotti in some of his finest performances and in duet with Sting, Bono, Eric Clapton, and The Three Tenors.

The legendary Barbra Streisand makes a historic homecoming to Brooklyn at the new Barclays Center arena, marking the superstar’s first Brooklyn concert since her childhood years.

The New York Philharmonic’s concert staging of Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning musical Company includes the all-star cast of Craig Bierko, Stephen Colbert, Jon Cryer, Katie Finneran, Neil Patrick Harris, Christina Hendricks, Adam Lazar, Patti LuPone, Jill Paice, Martha Plimpton, Anika Noni Rose, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Jim Walton, and Chryssie Whitehead.

Hugh Jackman (Curly) sings "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" in a scene with Maureen Lipman (Aunt Eller) in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s "Oklahoma!" produced by the Royal National Theatre.

Directed by Sir Trevor Nunn, and choreographed by Susan Stroman, the acclaimed Royal National Theatre production starring Hugh Jackman in his breakout role as cowpoke Curly reveals the work’s emotional complexity with a fresh approach. The special encore telecast is presented for the first time in high definition.

Hugh Jackman sings "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top" in a scene with Maureen Lipman (Aunt Eller) and Josefina Gabrielle (Laurey) in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s "Oklahoma!"

Stephen Costello discusses his role as Ishmael, or "the Greenhorn" in the San Francisco Opera production of "Moby-Dick." Watch scenes of his duet with Jonathan Lemalu as Queequeg, and Costello's aria, "Human Madness."

Gene Scheer, librettist of the opera Moby-Dick, describes his creative process in representing the novel. He sees the emotional journey of Ishmael (the narrator) and the harpooner Queequeg's influence on him as his best friend as the soul of the novel. After working six months on his own, Scheer traveled with composer Jake Heggie to Nantucket to collaborate. Premiering Friday, November 1, 2013.

Jonathan Lemalu discusses his role of Queequeg in Moby-Dick. He describes how each production has researched tattoo patterns for him to wear. A Pacific Islander, Lemalu felt at ease with what the San Francisco Opera designed. He thinks of the harpooner's tattoos as his armor. See Lemalu in the broadcast on Friday, November 1, 2013, at 9 p.m.

Patrick Summer is the conductor of San Francisco Opera's "Moby-Dick." He describes presenting new work as "one of the most vital things we do in the performing arts" and discusses how a living composer provides additional details beyond what's written in the score.

Composer Jake Heggie describes how the opera "Moby-Dick" came to be, his collaboration with Gene Scheer, and his love for singers. Before he writes, it's important to him to know the singers who will create the roles.

Soprano Talise Trevigne talks about the luxury of working with the composer Jake Heggie while creating the role of Pip for "Moby-Dick." Pip is a male character --- the cabin boy --- and this is Trevigne's first "pants" role.

This eight-minute timelapse video captures 24 hours on the stage of the San Francisco Opera, featuring the crew and cast of "Moby-Dick" in the modes of set-up, performance, and break-down of the set the next day --- all from an unusual aerial view.

Jay Hunter Morris stars as Captain Ahab in San Francisco Opera's Moby-Dick. He talks about the creative process in this interview. Composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer’s award-winning opera will be broadcast Friday, November 1, 2013, at 9 p.m. on PBS

Composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer’s award-winning opera Moby-Dick will be broadcast on THIRTEEN’s Great Performances Friday, November 1, 2013 at 9 p.m. Jay Hunter Morris stars as the obsessive Captain Ahab in Leonard Foglia’s multimedia production with the San Francisco Opera.

See portions of Morgan Smith’s performance as Starbuck, Captain Ahab's first mate, and find out the baritone singer's favorite musical themes and scenes in "Moby-Dick."