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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 E2

1h 13m

Stephen Costello Performs Ishmael in Moby-Dick

5m 6s

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 Moby-Dick

7m 10s

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, Queequeg in Moby-Dick

3m 29s

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 Summers on Conducting Moby-Dick

6m 18s

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.

Moby-Dick Composer Jake Heggie

4m 56s

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.

Talise Trevigne on Her Role as Pip

4m 11s

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.

Moby-Dick: 24-hour Timelapse on Stage

8m 42s

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, Captain Ahab in Moby-Dick

6m 43s

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

Moby-Dick from San Francisco Opera

30s

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.

Michael Bublé Sings "That's All"

Michael Bublé, the smooth crooner from Canada, sings "That's All" (by Alan Brandt and Bob Haymes) for the Great Performances 40th Anniversary Celebration, held at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Audra McDonald Sings "Dear Friend"

2m 20s

Winner of five Tony Awards and two Grammys, singer and actress Audra McDonald sings “Dear Friend” (from the musical “She Loves Me”) for the Great Performances 40th Anniversary Celebration at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Josh Groban Sings “Not While I’m Around” from “Sweeney Todd"

International pop star Josh Groban sings “Not While I’m Around” from the musical “Sweeney Todd” for the Great Performances 40th Anniversary Celebration, held at Lincoln Center in New York City.

40th Anniversary Celebration Preview

31s

In celebration of the series’ 40th anniversary on PBS, a stellar roster of diverse alumni gather to share their stories of what the series has meant to them, with reminiscences and performances by Julie Andrews, Audra McDonald, Don Henley, David Hyde Pierce, Josh Groban, Itzhak Perlman, Peter Martins, Patti Austin and Take 6, El?na Garan?a and Michael Bublé.

The Hollow Crown: Henry V

2m 35s

In this excerpt from Henry V, the king (Tom Hiddleston) rallies his English troops prior to battle with the French. Second only to Hamlet's to be or not to be, Henry V's "Band of Brothers" speech at Agincourt is one of the most famous speeches in English literature.

The Hollow Crown: Henry IV Part 2

3m 19s

Prince Hal (Tom Hiddleston) mourns the death of his father, King Henry IV (Jeremy Irons), and is forced to confront the weight of his new responsibility. This adaptation is part of "The Hollow Crown: Shakespeare's History Plays" series.

The Hollow Crown: Henry IV Part 1

3m 11s

Henry IV (Jeremy Irons) lectures his son, Prince Hal (Tom Hiddleston), on his poor and unprincelike conduct. This adaptation of "Henry IV, Part 1" airs Friday, September 27 at 9 p.m. and is part of "The Hollow Crown: Shakespeare's History Plays" series.

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