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Great Performances

Where to Watch Great Performances

19
at the Met - Medea
2023-06-16
Sondra Radvanovsky portrays the mythic sorceress in this Met premiere of Cherubini’s rarely performed masterpiece.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 19 Now

18
Richard III
2023-05-19
Experience The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Shakespeare’s tragedy starring Danai Gurira in the title role. Recorded live in July 2022 from Central Park.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 18 Now

17
Celebrating 50 Years of Broadway's Best
2023-05-12
Enjoy a revue of milestone Broadway shows and songs from 1973 to 2023 hosted by two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster. Features performances by André De Shields, Chita Rivera, Vanessa Williams and more from Lincoln Center’s David H.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 17 Now

16
Great Performances at the Met: Fedora
2023-05-07
Back at the Met for the first time in 25 years, Umberto Giordano’s drama stars soprano Sonya Yoncheva in the title role, a 19th-century Russian princess who falls in love with her fiancé’s murderer, Count Loris, sung by star tenor Piotr Beczała. Soprano Rosa Feola is the Countess Olga, Fedora’s confidant, and baritone Lucas Meachem is the diplomat De Siriex.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 16 Now

15
Now Hear This : Albeniz: Portraits of Spain
2023-04-28
A look at the musical inspirations that Spain provided composer Isaac Albéniz with Scottish guitarist David Russell, along with musicians from Albéniz's birthplace in the Pyrenees mountains.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 15 Now

14
Now Hear This: Andy Akiho Found (his) Sound
2023-04-21
Japanese American composer Andy Akiho creates music using found instruments; developing a music video.

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13
Now Hear This: Schumann: Genius and Madness
2023-04-14
Visiting Scotland, Germany and France to investigate the connection between Robert Schumann's bipolar disorder and his creative genius.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 13 Now

12
Now Hear This: Piazzolla's History With Tango
2023-04-07
Exploring the evolution of the tango music genre and composer Astor Piazzolla's work in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 12 Now

11
Great Performances at the Met - The Hours
2023-03-17
Great Performances at the Met - The Hours

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10
Remember This
2023-03-13
David Strathairn portrays World War II Polish resistance fighter and Holocaust witness Jan Karski.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 10 Now

9
The Magic of Spirituals
2023-02-24
The behind-the-scenes story of Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman's concert of spirituals at Carnegie Hall on March 18, 1990.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 9 Now

8
Movies for Grownups with AARP the Magazine
2023-02-17
Honoring the best films and performances of 2022 that resonate with older viewers; Jamie Lee Curtis receives the Career Achievement Award.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 8 Now

7
From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2023
2023-01-01
The Vienna Philharmonic rings in the New Year with Strauss Family waltzes accompanied by the Vienna State Ballet; host Hugh Bonneville.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 7 Now

6
Josh Groban's Great Big Radio City Show
2022-11-25
Experience the world-renowned baritone performing songs from many musical genres alongside several special guest stars including Cyndi Lauper, Denée Benton, New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck and more.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 6 Now

5
NY Phil Reopening of David Geffen Hall
2022-11-04
Celebrate the New York Philharmonic's return to its revitalized home. Under the baton of Music Director Jaap Van Zweden the concert features performances from soloists Joélle Harvey, Kelley O’Connor, Issachah Savage and Davóne Tines.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 5 Now

4
Great Performances at the Met: Hamlet
2022-11-06
Experience this contemporary opera based on Shakespeare’s masterpiece directed by Neil Armfield and composed by Brett Dean. Starring Allan Clayton in the title role, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly as Gertrude, and baritone Rod Gilfry as Claudius.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 4 Now

3
Great Performances at the Met: Lucia Di Lammermoor
2022-10-02
Soprano Nadine Sierra returns to the stage in one of the most formidable and storied roles, the haunted heroine Lucia di Lammermoor, in a production with new staging by Australian theater and film director Simon Stone, conducted by Riccardo Frizza.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 3 Now

2
Intimate Apparel
2022-09-23
An opera adaptation of playwright Lynn Nottage's play which tells the story of Esther, an unmarried and lonely Black woman in 1905 New York.

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1
Black Lucy and The Bard
2022-09-16
A dance drama featuring the Nashville Ballet reframes the mysterious love life of William Shakespeare through the perspective of the "Dark Lady" for whom many of his sonnets were written.

Watch Great Performances Season 50 Episode 1 Now

Great Performances from PBS, featuring the iconic Angela Lansbury, is a celebrated showcase of the arts that has captivated audiences since its inception. In this particular installment from 1972, the show brings together a remarkable ensemble of talent, promising a captivating exploration of performance in various forms, from theater to music.

Set against the backdrop of PBS’s commitment to high-quality programming, Great Performances serves as a platform for presenting the finest in the performing arts. This special episode is especially noteworthy for its star-studded cast, which includes renowned figures such as Derek Jacobi, Loreena McKennitt, Dmitry Khvorostovsky, and George Hearn, each contributing their unique artistry to the presentation.

Angela Lansbury, an illustrious figure in theater, film, and television, takes the helm as the host for this episode, guiding viewers through the performances with her warm and engaging presence. Known for her exceptional range and versatility, Lansbury's involvement adds a layer of gravitas and charm to the production. Her extensive background in the performing arts ensures that the showcased talent receives the recognition it deserves, as she connects the audience emotionally to each act.

Derek Jacobi, an acclaimed British actor celebrated for his stage and screen work, enriches the show with his profound ability to convey nuanced characters. Jacobi’s talent spans classical Shakespearean roles and contemporary dramas, enabling him to bring a depth of emotion and understanding to his performances. His presence in this episode exemplifies the high caliber of artists featured in Great Performances, allowing for a diverse range of interpretations and styles that reflect the richness of live entertainment.

Adding a musical flair, Loreena McKennitt introduces her ethereal sound filled with Celtic influences that have captivated listeners worldwide. With her haunting voice and captivating melodies, McKennitt's performance transcends traditional boundaries, merging folk and classical music elements. Her artistry is complemented by stunning visuals that create a transporting experience, further showcasing the power of music to evoke deep emotions.

The show also highlights the operatic talents of Dmitry Khvorostovsky, a baritone known for his commanding stage presence and powerful voice. Khvorostovsky's performances often blend dramatic intensity and lyrical beauty, resonating with audiences on a profound level. His contributions in this episode promise to be both moving and technically impressive, demonstrating the artistry that opera embodies.

George Hearn, a distinguished performer known for his work in musical theater, brings yet another dimension to the episode. Hearn's illustrious career includes numerous accolades for his performances in Broadway musicals, and his artistry is marked by an unmistakable passion and charisma. His involvement in Great Performances not only showcases his considerable talent but also emphasizes the show's dedication to presenting the heights of theatrical achievement.

Throughout the episode, viewers can expect a seamless blend of storytelling and performance that the Great Performances series is renowned for. The production values are exemplary, ensuring that each moment is captured beautifully, allowing the audience to not just observe but feel fully immersed in the experience. Whether it is through breathtaking staging, enchanting costumes, or exquisite lighting, each aspect of the production is crafted with care to enhance the overall impact of the performances.

As a whole, this episode of Great Performances stands as a testament to the power of the arts. It underscores the importance of live performance in contemporary culture, reminding viewers of the emotional connections formed through shared artistic experiences. By featuring such an eclectic mix of talent, the show reflects the diversity and richness of artistic expression — a celebration of human creativity and storytelling that resonates across generations.

In essence, Great Performances from PBS featuring Angela Lansbury and an array of distinguished artists provides an unforgettable evening of entertainment, inviting viewers to engage with and appreciate the transformative power of the performing arts. This installment captures not just the talent on display but the spirit of collaboration and innovation that drives the artistic community. Whether you are a lifelong aficionado of the arts or a newcomer drawn to the beauty of live performance, this episode promises to be a memorable journey through the rich tapestry of creativity.

Great Performances is a series categorized as a currently airing. Spanning 52 seasons with a total of 295 episodes, the show debuted on 1972. The series has earned a moderate reviews from both critics and viewers. The IMDb score stands at 7.9.

How to Watch Great Performances

How can I watch Great Performances online? Great Performances is available on PBS with seasons and full episodes. You can also watch Great Performances on demand at PBS online.

Channel
PBS
Rating
7.9/10
Cast
Derek Jacobi, George Hearn, Angela Lansbury, Loreena McKennitt, Dmitrij Chworostowski