Arts and Music

Great Performances

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.

Now Hear This “The Composer is Yoo”

54m 24s

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.

Episodes

  • Now Hear This “The Composer is Yoo”: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Now Hear This “The Composer is Yoo”

    S51 E17 - 54m 24s

    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”: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Now Hear This “Old Friends”

    S51 E16 - 53m 54s

    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”: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Now Hear This “Virtuosos”

    S51 E15 - 53m 24s

    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.

  • Moving soon to WETA Passport

    Now Hear This “Rising Stars”: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Now Hear This “Rising Stars”

    S51 E14 - 53m 54s

    Visit Julliard 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.

  • George Jones: Still Playin’ Possum: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    George Jones: Still Playin’ Possum

    S51 E11 - 1h 24m

    Honor one of the most beloved stars in country music history with this all-star tribute concert featuring Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Wynonna, Jelly Roll, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, Lorrie Morgan, Justin Moore, Trace Adkins and more.

  • The LA Phil Celebrates Frank Gehry: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The LA Phil Celebrates Frank Gehry

    S51 E10 - 1h 24m

    Celebrate 20 years at Walt Disney Concert Hall with the LA Phil in a tribute to its architect. Led by Gustavo Dudamel, the concert includes a piece composed and conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, performances by Herbie Hancock and H.E.R., and more.

  • Making Shakespeare: The First Folio: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Making Shakespeare: The First Folio

    S51 E7 - 1h 53m

    Celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio, which saved 18 plays from being lost. Tracing the First Folio’s story, the film also spotlights how New York City’s Public Theater presents Shakespeare’s work for today’s audiences.

  • Message In A Bottle: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Message In A Bottle

    S51 E4 - 1h 25m

    Experience five-time Olivier Award nominee Kate Prince’s dance and theater show set to the songs of 17-time Grammy winner Sting. Telling the story of a migrant family, the show from London’s Sadler's Wells Theatre features a mix of dance styles.

  • New York City Ballet in Madrid: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    New York City Ballet in Madrid

    S51 E3 - 1h 24m

    New York City Ballet presents an evening of works recorded during company’s European tour in spring 2023. Captured in peak performance at Madrid’s Teatro Real, the program features two masterpieces choreographed by NYCB co-founder and original Artistic Director George Balanchine, “Serenade” and “Square Dance.”

Extras + Features

  • X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X Preview

    S51 E9 - 30s

    Experience Anthony Davis’s groundbreaking opera directed by Tony nominee Robert O’Hara. The new staging portrays Malcolm as an Everyman whose story transcends time and space. Supported by a cast of young Met stars, Will Liverman sings Malcolm X.

  • Will Liverman Performs as Malcolm X: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Will Liverman Performs as Malcolm X

    S51 E9 - 1m 25s

    Will Liverman performs as Malcolm X in '’We’re not askin’ Massa to sit at a lunch counter," an act II aria from "X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X."

  • The Beautiful Blue Danube: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Beautiful Blue Danube

    S51 E8 - 3m 15s

    The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs Johann Strauss II's "The Beautiful Blue Danube."

  • From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2024 Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2024 Preview

    S51 E8 - 30s

    Celebrate the New Year with waltzes by Strauss and more performed from Vienna’s Musikverein by the famed orchestra led by guest conductor Christian Thielemann. PBS favorite Hugh Bonneville returns to host.

  • Great Performances at the Met: Die Zauberflöte Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Great Performances at the Met: Die Zauberflöte Preview

    S51 E6 - 30s

    Experience director Simon McBurney’s Met debut with a new production of this Mozart favorite. Nathalie Stutzmann conducts with Lawrence Brownlee as Tamino, Erin Morley as Pamina, Thomas Oliemans as Papageno and Kathryn Lewek as the Queen of the Night.

  • The Stolen First Folio: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Stolen First Folio

    S51 E7 - 4m 21s

    In 1998 in Durham, England, a First Folio vanishes without a trace. A series of experts weigh in on how the folio vanished, and recount the story of how it was found.

  • Making Shakespeare: The First Folio Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Making Shakespeare: The First Folio Preview

    S51 E7 - 30s

    Celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio, which saved 18 plays from being lost. Tracing the First Folio’s story, the film also spotlights how New York City’s Public Theater presents Shakespeare’s work for today’s audiences.

Schedule

  • Image
    Great Performances: Hamlet: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Hamlet

    Friday
    May 10

    3 Hours

    A present-day take on Shakespeare's "Hamlet" features Ato Blankson-Wood in the title role and Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia.
  • Image
    Great Performances: Hamlet: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Hamlet

    Friday
    May 10

    3 Hours

    A present-day take on Shakespeare's "Hamlet" features Ato Blankson-Wood in the title role and Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia.
  • Image
    Great Performances: Hamlet: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Hamlet

    Saturday
    May 11

    3 Hours

    A present-day take on Shakespeare's "Hamlet" features Ato Blankson-Wood in the title role and Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia.
  • Image
    Great Performances: Hamlet: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Hamlet

    Saturday
    May 11

    3 Hours

    A present-day take on Shakespeare's "Hamlet" features Ato Blankson-Wood in the title role and Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia.
  • Image
    Great Performances: Hamlet: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Hamlet

    Sunday
    May 12

    3 Hours

    A present-day take on Shakespeare's "Hamlet" features Ato Blankson-Wood in the title role and Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia.
  • Image
    Great Performances: Audra McDonald at the London Palladium: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Audra McDonald at the London Palladium

    Friday
    May 17

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    Audra McDonald performs a repertoire of classic Broadway songs including "I Am What I Am," "I Could Have Danced All Night," "Will He Like Me?" and "Summertime."
  • Image
    Great Performances: Audra McDonald at the London Palladium: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Audra McDonald at the London Palladium

    Friday
    May 17

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    Audra McDonald performs a repertoire of classic Broadway songs including "I Am What I Am," "I Could Have Danced All Night," "Will He Like Me?" and "Summertime."
  • Image
    Great Performances: Audra McDonald at the London Palladium: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Audra McDonald at the London Palladium

    Saturday
    May 18

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    Audra McDonald performs a repertoire of classic Broadway songs including "I Am What I Am," "I Could Have Danced All Night," "Will He Like Me?" and "Summertime."
  • Image
    Great Performances: Audra McDonald at the London Palladium: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Audra McDonald at the London Palladium

    Saturday
    May 18

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    Audra McDonald performs a repertoire of classic Broadway songs including "I Am What I Am," "I Could Have Danced All Night," "Will He Like Me?" and "Summertime."
  • Image
    Great Performances: Now Hear This: Andy Akiho Found (his) Sound: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Now Hear This: Andy Akiho Found (his) Sound

    Saturday
    May 18

    1 Hour

    Japanese American composer Andy Akiho creates music using found instruments; developing a music video.
  • Image
    Great Performances: Audra McDonald at the London Palladium: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Audra McDonald at the London Palladium

    Sunday
    May 19

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    Audra McDonald performs a repertoire of classic Broadway songs including "I Am What I Am," "I Could Have Danced All Night," "Will He Like Me?" and "Summertime."
  • Image
    Great Performances: Audra McDonald at the London Palladium: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Audra McDonald at the London Palladium

    Sunday
    May 19

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    Audra McDonald performs a repertoire of classic Broadway songs including "I Am What I Am," "I Could Have Danced All Night," "Will He Like Me?" and "Summertime."
  • Image
    Great Performances: Audra McDonald at the London Palladium: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Audra McDonald at the London Palladium

    Monday
    May 20

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    Audra McDonald performs a repertoire of classic Broadway songs including "I Am What I Am," "I Could Have Danced All Night," "Will He Like Me?" and "Summertime."
  • Image
    Great Performances: Audra McDonald at the London Palladium: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Audra McDonald at the London Palladium

    Monday
    May 20

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    Audra McDonald performs a repertoire of classic Broadway songs including "I Am What I Am," "I Could Have Danced All Night," "Will He Like Me?" and "Summertime."

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