Purlie Victorious Leslie Odom Jr and cast

Great Performances

Arts and Music Series / 6 Seasons

Great Performances brings the best in the performing arts from across America and around the world to a US television audience. It presents a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.

Watch Latest: S52 E3

1h 23m / TV-PG

Musical Rehearsal for "Dialogues des Carmélites"

1m 28s

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts an early rehearsal for the Met Opera's production "Dialogues des Carmélites." Working with the cast, Yannick explores the meaning of the song "Ave Maria" and what the prayer means to the characters in that moment of the opera.

Sonya Yoncheva in Concert Preview

30s

Enjoy the talent of Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva as she performs arias by Verdi, Puccini and more from the Baroque Library in Schussenried Cloister in southwest Germany accompanied by Julien Quentin on piano.

Yannick Reminisces About His Musical Childhood

1m 34s

Yannick Nézet-Séguin reminisces about his artistic upbringing and how he fell in love with music. Showing an affinity towards art of all kinds at a young age, Yannick began to become fascinated by music and conducting through his involvement in the choir at his local church.

Vienna Philharmonic Performs Bernstein's "Somewhere."

3m 45s

The Vienna Philharmonic Performs Leonard Bernstein's "Somewhere" from "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story." This second dance within the series imagines a happier, fantasy world in which the two teenage gangs can live united in friendship.

The Party Audition

1m 34s

Aspiring dancer Victoria Page auditions for impresario Boris Lermontov at a party. As Page and aspiring pianist Julian Caster vie for the impresario's attention, they soon find that their talents are best used when combined, resulting in this awe inspiring piece.

"I Think An Empty Theatre is Exciting"

4m 26s

Broadway stars such as Carol Burnett, Robert Morse, Robert Redford and Elaine Stritch reminisce about what it was like to arrive to the theatre before their audiences in Rick McKay's "Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age."

Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age Preview

32s

Explore the world of Broadway from 1959 through the early 1980s as recounted by the Broadway stars who lived through it. Written, directed and produced by the late filmmaker Rick McKay and hosted by two-time Tony Award nominee Jonathan Groff, the new documentary is the long-awaited sequel to McKay’s award-winning 2003 film "Broadway: The Golden Age – By the Legends Who Were There."

Carol Burnett Meets George Abbott

4m 50s

As a student, Carol Burnett predicted she would move to New York City and work with George Abbott. Watch as she remembers how losing out on one role led to her being cast in "Once Upon A Mattress," and meeting the famed director.

Diana Damrau and Joseph Calleja in Concert Preview

30s

Met Opera Stars Diana Damrau and Joseph Calleja perform works by Verdi, Bizet, Rossini and more from the Royal Palace of Caserta in Italy, accompanied by Vincenzo Scalera on piano. Soprano Angel Blue hosts.

Diana Damrau & Joseph Calleja Perform Excerpts from "Tosca"

3m 28s

Soprano Diana Damrau and tenor Joseph Calleja perform "Non ti scordar di me" by Ernesto De Curtis and excerpts from Puccini's "Tosca" from the Royal Palace of Caserta.

Roots of Latin Jazz Preview

31s

Celebrate the rhythms of Latin music with the Raices Jazz Orchestra and performances by GRAMMY-winning artists including Richard Bona and Anaadi. Hosted by Sheila E. A co-presentation of Great Performances and Latino Public Broadcasting’s VOCES.

Gloria Estefan: Sangre Yoruba Preview

31s

Gloria Estefan journeys through three of Brazil’s most influential cities, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Salvador, with Estefan as narrator and host, discussing the history of Samba and its many variations. Featuring regional celebrities like Maria Rita, Carlinhos Brown and Jorge Arãgo, the documentary looks at the African origins of Brazilian music and specific sites that have inspired artists.

Great Performances at the Met: Joyce DiDonato in Concert

30s

Experience a new performance by the American mezzo-soprano from the art-nouveau Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum, Germany, featuring Baroque works by Handel as well as songs like “La vie en rose” and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

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