Purlie Victorious Leslie Odom Jr and cast

Great Performances

Arts and Music Series / 5 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 E14

54m 24s / TV-G

Broadway's Best 2024

30s

Join us for four nights of acclaimed theater productions: "Hamlet," "Audra McDonald at the London Palladium," "Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch," and "Rodgers & Hammerstein's 80th Anniversary."

Great Performances at the Met: Nabucco Preview

30s

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" Preview

30s

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.

Now Hear This "Old Friends" Preview

30s

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" Preview

30s

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" Preview

30s

Visit Juilliard 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.

GMET: Florencia en el Amazonas Preview

30s

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 Preview

30s

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.

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