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 “Virtuosos”

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.

Episodes

  • Roots of Latin Jazz: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Roots of Latin Jazz

    S48 E27 - 53m 25s

    Celebrate the rhythms of Latin music with the Raices Jazz Orchestra and performances by GRAMMY-winning artists including Richard Bona and Anaadi. Hosted by Sheila E. A co-presentation of Great Performances and Latino Public Broadcasting’s VOCES.

  • The Arts Interrupted: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Arts Interrupted

    S48 E20 - 52m 55s

    Take an inside look at how arts organizations nationwide are surviving the pandemic and how they are maturing during the country’s reckoning with systemic racism, featuring interviews with artists and performances made during lockdown.

  • Uncle Vanya: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Uncle Vanya

    S48 E18 - 2h 24m

    Tony Award nominee Conor McPherson breathes new life into Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece with his acclaimed adaptation of the drama, portraying life at the turn of the 20th century filled with tumultuous frustration, dark humor and hidden passions.

  • Romeo & Juliet: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Romeo & Juliet

    S48 E17 - 1h 34m

    This stylized film of Shakespeare’s masterpiece from the National Theatre celebrates the theatrical imagination. In this contemporary retelling, a company of actors in a shuttered theater bring to life the tale of two young lovers who strive to transcend a world of violence and hate. Josh O’Connor and Jessie Buckley star as Shakespeare’s immortal star-crossed lovers.

  • Lea Salonga in Concert: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Lea Salonga in Concert

    S48 E9 - 55m 25s

    Captured in peak performance with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga performs the beloved songs she made famous throughout her Broadway career, as well as her signature songs from the animated movie blockbusters “Aladdin” and “Mulan” from the Sydney Opera House.

Extras + Features

  • The Magic of Horowitz Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Magic of Horowitz Preview

    S48 E12 - 30s

    Experience legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz’s 1986 Russian homecoming for a sold-out concert of personal favorites, featuring commentary from former manager Peter Gelb and virtuoso pianists Martha Argerich and Daniil Trifonov.

  • Horowitz's Piano "Pyrotechnics": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Horowitz's Piano "Pyrotechnics"

    S48 E12 - 3m 38s

    Watch Horowitz perform his self-described piano "pyrotechnics" as he plays Rachmaninov's "Polka de V.R."

  • The Magic of Callas Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Magic of Callas Preview

    S48 E11 - 30s

    Explore the legacy of superstar Maria Callas in this documentary detailing her 1964 comeback at London’s Royal Opera House in “Tosca,” featuring insights from fans including Rufus Wainwright and opera stars Thomas Hampson and Kristine Opolais.

  • Maria Callas' "Vissi d'Arte": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Maria Callas' "Vissi d'Arte"

    S48 E11 - 2m 11s

    Watch Maria Callas' stellar performance of the heartwrenching and classic Tosca aria "Vissi d'Arte." Antonio Pappano, Music Director of the Royal Opera House in London, speaks on the state of Callas' voice and life.

  • About Act II of Tosca: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    About Act II of Tosca

    S48 E11 - 1m 38s

    Antonio Pappano discusses the power and impact of Act II of Puccini's "Tosca" and how opera is about more than a singer's voice.

  • Strauss' "Voices of Spring": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Strauss' "Voices of Spring"

    S48 E10 - 1m 42s

    The Vienna State Ballet dances to Johann Strauss II's classic waltz, "Voices of Spring."

  • Happy 100th Birthday Burgenland: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Happy 100th Birthday Burgenland

    S48 E10 - 25m 23s

    The intermission for "From Vienna: The New Year's Day Celebration" is a film by Felix Breisach titled, "Happy Birthday Burgenland 1921-2021." This film offers stunning views of one of Austria's easternmost provinces as well as melodious music.

  • Lea Salonga in Concert Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Lea Salonga in Concert Preview

    S48 E9 - 30s

    Captured in peak performance with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga performs the beloved songs she made famous throughout her Broadway career, as well as her signature songs from the animated movie blockbusters “Aladdin” and “Mulan” from the Sydney Opera House.

Schedule

  • Image
    Great Performances: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Now Hear This: Old Friends

    Friday
    Apr 26

    1 Hour

    Exploring how virtuosos become maestros and their guiding principles through Scott Yoo's friendships with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Richard Kogan and violinist Lynn Chang.
  • Image
    Great Performances: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Now Hear This: Old Friends

    Friday
    Apr 26

    1 Hour

    Exploring how virtuosos become maestros and their guiding principles through Scott Yoo's friendships with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Richard Kogan and violinist Lynn Chang.
  • Image
    Great Performances: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Now Hear This: Old Friends

    Saturday
    Apr 27

    1 Hour

    Exploring how virtuosos become maestros and their guiding principles through Scott Yoo's friendships with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Richard Kogan and violinist Lynn Chang.
  • Image
    Great Performances: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Now Hear This: Old Friends

    Saturday
    Apr 27

    1 Hour

    Exploring how virtuosos become maestros and their guiding principles through Scott Yoo's friendships with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Richard Kogan and violinist Lynn Chang.
  • Image
    Great Performances: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Now Hear This: Old Friends

    Monday
    Apr 29

    1 Hour

    Exploring how virtuosos become maestros and their guiding principles through Scott Yoo's friendships with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Richard Kogan and violinist Lynn Chang.
  • Image
    Great Performances: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Now Hear This: Old Friends

    Monday
    Apr 29

    1 Hour

    Exploring how virtuosos become maestros and their guiding principles through Scott Yoo's friendships with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Richard Kogan and violinist Lynn Chang.
  • Image
    Great Performances: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    The Composer Is Yoo

    Friday
    May 3

    1 Hour

    Scott Yoo's journey composing a piece of music for the first time; Yoo revisits his heritage in search of ideas, performs landmark pieces and tests his work in progress.
  • Image
    Great Performances: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    The Composer Is Yoo

    Friday
    May 3

    1 Hour

    Scott Yoo's journey composing a piece of music for the first time; Yoo revisits his heritage in search of ideas, performs landmark pieces and tests his work in progress.
  • Image
    Great Performances: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    The Composer Is Yoo

    Saturday
    May 4

    1 Hour

    Scott Yoo's journey composing a piece of music for the first time; Yoo revisits his heritage in search of ideas, performs landmark pieces and tests his work in progress.
  • Image
    Great Performances: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    The Composer Is Yoo

    Sunday
    May 5

    1 Hour

    Scott Yoo's journey composing a piece of music for the first time; Yoo revisits his heritage in search of ideas, performs landmark pieces and tests his work in progress.

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