Great Performances

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.

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Viennese Spirit Waltz from Vienna Philharmonic

2m 28s

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs Johann Strauss Jr.'s "Wiener Blut," also known as Viennese Spirit. This performance marks the 150th anniversary of this waltz, which Strauss debuted with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at their home at the Musikverein.

Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2022 Preview

30s

Enjoy the Vienna Philharmonic’s annual summer night concert with cellist Gautier Capuçon under the direction of guest conductor Andris Nelsons at Austria’s Schönbrunn Palace.

Great Performances at the Met: Don Carlos Preview

30s

For the first time in its history, the Met presents the original five-act French version of Verdi’s epic opera of doomed love among royalty, set against the backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition. Watch this starry cast including tenor Matthew Polenzani in the title role, soprano Sonya Yoncheva as Élisabeth de Valois and Jamie Barton as Eboli.

Lise Davidsen Sings "Es gibt ein Reich"

2m 35s

Soprano Lise Davidsen brings one of her signature roles to the Met for the first time as the mythological Greek heroine of Strauss’s enchanting masterpiece. Listen as she sings an excerpt from the aria "Es gibt ein Reich."

Great Performances at the Met: Rigoletto Preview

30s

Baritone Quinn Kelsey portrays the title role at the Met for the first time, starring alongside soprano Rosa Feola as Gilda and tenor Piotr Beczała as the Duke of Mantua. Maestro Daniele Rustioni leads Verdi’s timeless tragedy reset in 1920s Europe by Tony-winning director Bartlett Sher. Varduhi Abrahamyan plays Maddalena and Andrea Mastroni plays Sparafucile.

Keeping Company with Sondheim Preview

30s

Take an inside look at the reimagined gender-swapped production as it returns to Broadway during the COVID-19 pandemic. Features new interviews with Tony and Grammy-winning cast members Katrina Lenk, Patti LuPone, Sondheim and more.

Changing Bobby to Bobbie in Broadway's "Company"

2m 36s

Listen to Katrina Lenk (Bobbie), Cynthia Nixon and the Company cast discuss switching the gender of the character of Bobbie, and how it opened the door to switch other roles in the cast as well.

Sondheim and The Character of Bobby

2m 20s

Composer Stephen Sondheim, actress Cynthia Nixon and theatre critic Hilton Als discuss the character of Bobby, and how Sondheim's own relationship to his heterosexual, married friends may have influenced the character.

Changing Amy to Jamie in Broadway's "Company"

2m 43s

Matt Doyle, Patti LuPone and Etai Benson discuss what went into gender-bending "I'm Not Getting Married Today," and how the added anxiety surrounding gay marriage added to the overall anxiety of the scene. Includes clips of the cast of Company performing the iconic song by Sondheim.

Great Performances: Merry Wives Preview

30s

Experience Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece from the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park. Set in South Harlem, the play tells the story of the trickster Falstaff and the wily wives who outwit him in a celebration of Black joy, laughter and vitality.

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