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

  • "Seventeen Blows" from The Met Opera's "Champion": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    "Seventeen Blows" from The Met Opera's "Champion"

    S51 E5 - 2m 8s

    Ryan Speedo Green as Young Emile Griffith, Eric Owens as Emile Griffith, Latonia Moore as Emelda Griffith, and Eric Greene as Benny “Kid” Paret perform "Seventeen Blows" from Terence Blanchard's "Champion."

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

    Great Performances at the Met: Champion Preview

    S51 E5 - 30s

    Six-time Grammy Award–winning composer Terence Blanchard returns to the Met with an opera based on the true story of boxer Emile Griffith, who rose from obscurity to become a world champion despite being a closeted bisexual.

  • Sting on "Message In A Bottle": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Sting on "Message In A Bottle"

    S51 E4 - 1m 15s

    Sting discusses the core messages behind "Message in a Bottle," a new dance program set to some of his most iconic songs, with choreography by Kate Prince.

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

    Message In A Bottle Preview

    S51 E4 - 30s

    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 Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    New York City Ballet in Madrid Preview

    S51 E3 - 30s

    Captured in peak performance at Madrid’s Teatro Real, New York City Ballet performs two masterpieces choreographed by NYCB co-founder and original Artistic Director George Balanchine, “Serenade” and “Square Dance" as well as a piece by current resident choreographer Justin Peck.

  • Don Giovanni, a cenar teco: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Don Giovanni, a cenar teco

    S51 E2 - 1m 59s

    Don Giovanni (Peter Mattei), Leporello (Adam Plachetka), and the Commendatore (Alexander Tsymbalyuk) perform an excerpt from the Act II aria "Don Giovanni, a cenar teco."

  • Great Performances at the Met: Don Giovanni Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Great Performances at the Met: Don Giovanni Preview

    S51 E2 - 30s

    Tony Award–winning director Ivo van Hove makes his Met debut with a new take on Mozart’s tragicomedy. Maestro Nathalie Stutzmann also makes her Met debut, conducting the cast led by baritone Peter Mattei in the title role alongside bass-baritone Adam Plachetka as Leporello.

  • Der Rosenkavalier Final Trio: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Der Rosenkavalier Final Trio

    S51 E1 - 2m 19s

    Lise Davidsen, Erin Morley, and Samantha Hankey, as the Marschallin, Sophie, and Octavian, sing an excerpt from the Act III trio.

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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