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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.

Scott Yoo learns about the kanun and Turkish court music.
Alice Dade learns from Rifat Varo about how the Turkish reed flute gets made.
Chris Ware and Scott Yoo discuss the first recording of "The Entertainer."
Major series funding for GREAT PERFORMANCES is provided by The Joseph & Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Arts Fund, the LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Jody and John Arnhold, the Abra Prentice Foundation, The Starr Foundation, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, the Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, the Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Seton J. Melvin, the Estate of Worthington Mayo-Smith, the Jack Lawrence Charitable Remainder Trust Worchell Lawrence, and Ellen and James S. Marcus.
Latest Episodes
All
  • All
  • Great Performances Season 53
  • Great Performances Season 52
  • Great Performances Season 51
  • Great Performances Season 50
  • Great Performances Season 49
  • Great Performances Season 48
  • Great Performances Season 47
  • Great Performances Season 46
  • Great Performances Season 45
  • Great Performances Season 44
  • Great Performances Season 43
  • Great Performances Season 42
  • Great Performances Season 41
  • Great Performances Season 40
  • Great Performances Season 39
  • Great Performances Season 38
  • Great Performances Season 37
  • Great Performances Season 36
  • Great Performances Season 35
With a host of Turkish musicians, Scott Yoo explores the city.
Scott Joplin was the king of ragtime, a new kind music for the turn of the 20th century.
Scott Yoo journeys across Germany to find a window into Brahms’ inner life.
In this adaptation of Michael Chabon’s novel, two Jewish cousins invent an anti-fascist superhero.
Experience Zeffirelli’s beloved production set in 19th-century Paris.
Samara Joy makes her much-anticipated debut at London’s legendary Royal Albert Hall.
AARP’s Movies for Grownups hosted by Alan Cumming.
Ring in 2026 with the famed orchestra conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin hosted by Hugh Bonneville.
Experience the holiday classic in a new light.
The Shakespearean comedy of mistaken identity tells the misadventures of Sebastian and Viola.
Follow prima ballerina Tiler Peck as she overcomes injury and pursues a new career as choreographer.
Rossini’s effervescent comedy retakes the stage in Bartlett Sher’s madcap production.
Discover Grace Bumbry’s inspiring rise to global opera fame.
Director Claus Guth reimagines the biblical tale through Oscar Wilde’s haunting play.
The beloved annual concert performed by Vienna Philharmonic in Schönbrunn Palace Park.
Conductor Joana Mallwitz makes her Met debut leading the cast in Mozart’s comic masterpiece.
In her second role of this season of Great Performances at the Met, Lise Davidsen stars as Leonore.
Angel Blue makes her highly anticipated Met role debut as Aida.
Experience this Cole Porter classic musical starring Tony winner Stephanie J. Block.
Experience this musical by Conor McPherson featuring the music of Bob Dylan set in 1934 Minnesota.
Lise Davidsen stars in the title role and Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts.
Enjoy Tony winner David Henry Hwang’s Broadway comedy starring Daniel Dae Kim.
Experience this Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical from London's Donmar Warehouse.
Discover Agustin Barrios’ rise from rural Paraguay to becoming a pioneering guitar composer.
Discover Rachmaninoff's reinvention as an American artist after losing everything in Russia.
Explore Boccherini’s love for Madrid through a musical night tour of the city with Scott Yoo.
Benjamin Bernheim performs the title role of the tormented poet.
Experience Rudolf Nureyev’s legendary production of “Swan Lake” co-starring Margot Fonteyn.
Explore Chopin’s musical evolution from Poland to Paris with Scott Yoo and pianist Jan Lisiecki.
Follow a fighter pilot who operates a drone in a high-tech world battling both war and motherhood.
Specials
Conductor Gemma New leads the orchestra with a focus on creating a collective musical experience.
Violinist Allison Taylor traveled to India, where she realized she didn't know about the instrument.
Bassoonist Eleni Katz shares a glimpse of her musical journey at New World Symphony.
Born in Austin, James knew from an early age that he wanted to play the violin.
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Cellist Tommy Mesa's love of music began with his interest in playing drums.
Following in his brother’s footsteps, Joshua Brown picked up the violin at age two.
Composed of violinists Lucy Wang and Hao Zhou, violist Aiden Kane, and cellist Tate Zawadiuk.
What happens when a RuPaul’s Drag Race-winner takes on Broadway—on her own terms?
Beloved TV star and Tony nominee Daniel Dae Kim returns to his theatrical roots.
Go behind the scenes with Tony nominee Andrew Durand.
Step into the spotlight with Tony nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers as she takes on the role of a lifetime.
A profile of violinist Julian Rhee, winner of a 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant Award.
A profile of Balourdet Quartet, winner of a 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant Award.
A profile of violinist Njioma Chinyere Grevious, winner of a 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant Award.
A profile of Sandbox Percussion, winner of a 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant Award.
A profile of pianist Clayton Stephenson, winner of a 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant Award.
A series of profiles on the Avery Fisher Career Grant Award recipients.
Features an all-star cast at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Great Performances mourns the passing of its founding Executive Producer, Jac Venza.
Experience Hans Christian Andersen's haunting tale of love in this inventive ballet.
Daniel Catan's has adapted the popular 1994 film Il Postino as an opera.
Extras
Alice Dade learns from Rifat Varo about how the Turkish reed flute gets made.
Scott Yoo learns about the kanun and Turkish court music.
Chris Ware and Scott Yoo discuss the first recording of "The Entertainer."
In this reimagining of "Treemonisha," the West African kora take center stage.
Johannes Moser and Scott Yoo perform Brahms Double Concerto, 1st movement.
Elisabeth Brauss and Scott Yoo discuss the relationship between Schumann and Brahms.
Take a look at what we explore in season 7 of "Now Hear This.
Sam (Miles Mykkanen) and Joe (Andrzej Filończyk) create The Escapist.
Experience Zeffirelli’s beloved production set in 19th-century Paris.
Juliana Grigoryan and Freddie De Tommaso perform “Dunque è proprio finita!”
Experience the Grammy winner singing jazz classics from bossa nova to the Great American Songbook.
Samara Joy performs Sam Coslow's "Beware My Heart."
Samara Joy performs Axel Stordhal and Paul Weston's "Day By Day."
AARP’s Movies for Grownups hosted by Alan Cumming.
Delroy Lindo accepts AARP's Best Supporting Actor Award for "Sinners."
Director Chloé Zhao accepts the Movies for Grownups Best Picture Award.
Kathy Bates accepts the "Best Actress TV" award for "Matlock."
George Clooney Accepts "Best Actor" at the Movies for Grownups Awards.
Alan Cumming parodies the nominees for Best Film in musical theater style.
Explore the preparation and processes of New World Symphony’s young, gifted musician.
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs "Rainbow Waltz" by Florence Price.
The Vienna State Ballet performs Strauss' "Diplomat's Polka."
Ring in 2026 with the famed orchestra conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin hosted by Hugh Bonneville.
Explore Austria's national treasures with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
Experience the holiday classic in a new light.
Experience an excerpt from "Liquorice Allsorts" from "Nutcracker."
Ivana Bueno and Junor Souza perform an excerpt from "Nutcracker."
Emma Hawes and Aitor Arrieta perform an excerpt from the Sugar Plum pas de deux.
Anna Nevzorova and the snowflakes perform an excerpt from Waltz of the Snowflakes.
Drosselmeyer (Junor Souza) unveils the toys.