Browse all episodes of Great Performances

Episode 3

Episode 2

Episode 5

Episode 4

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Episode 12

Episode 13

Episode 7

Episode 10

Frank Sinatra's beginnings in Hoboken New Jersey, and how he discovers his passion for singing. We see as Sinatra performs with various groups and bands, eventually working toward performing solo. These are also the years Sinatra develops his unique vocal style and works his way into the hearts of the girls in bobby socks and socialites alike.

Frank Sinatra: The Very Good Years

The Rodgers & Hart Story: Thou Swell, Thou Witty

Wicked’s Idina Menzel and Rent’s Adam Pascal join Great Performances favorite, internationally renowned vocalist Josh Groban in a spectacular London concert revival of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ 1986 cult musical Chess. Featuring diamond-sharp lyrics by Tim Rice (Evita, The Lion King), and the hit-filled production (“One Night in Bangkok,” “I Know Him So Well,” “The Anthem”).

Chess in Concert

Julie Andrews hosts the annual New Year’s Day celebration with the Vienna Philharmonic from Vienna’s Musikverein, a beloved annual tradition. Maestro Mariss Jansons will conduct the popular concert of melodies by the Strauss Family and their contemporaries. The the Vienna Boys’ Choir and soloists of the Vienna State Ballet also perform.

From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2016

The celebrated score features favorites such as “Vanilla Ice Cream,” “A Romantic Atmosphere,” “Dear Friend,” and “She Loves Me.” The musical is based on a play by Miklos Laszlo, whose well-known romantic story was the basis for the 1940 James Stewart film “The Shop Around the Corner,” the 1949 Judy Garland and Van Johnson musical “In the Good Old Summertime,” and the 1998 Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan film “You’ve Got Mail.”

She Loves Me

Discover Grace Bumbry’s inspiring rise to global opera fame. Spotlighting her historic performances, the film explores the racial barriers she overcame to triumph in her 1966 performance as "Carmen."

The Magic of Grace Bumbry

Rossini’s effervescent comedy retakes the stage in Bartlett Sher’s madcap production. Aigul Akhmetshina headlines a winning ensemble as the feisty heroine, Rosina, alongside Jack Swanson, in his Met debut, as her secret beloved, Count Almaviva. Andrey Zhilikhovsky stars as Figaro, the infamous barber of Seville, with Peter Kálmán as Dr. Bartolo and Alexander Vinogradov as Don Basilio.

Great Performances at the Met: Il Barbiere di Siviglia

Follow acclaimed ballerina Tiler Peck as she overcomes injury to reclaim her place on stage and debut her own choreography with New York City Ballet, revealing the resilience and artistry behind a modern-day prima ballerina.

Tiler Peck: Suspending Time

The Shakespearean comedy of mistaken identity tells the romantic misadventures of twins Sebastian and Viola after they survive a shipwreck, including revenge plots and tricks of love. Recorded this summer at the newly renovated Delacorte Theater in Central Park, the production is directed by Tony Award nominee Saheem Ali.

Twelfth Night

Experience the holiday classic in a new light, featuring over 100 dancers and musicians performing at the London Coliseum.

Nutcracker from English National Ballet

The famed Vienna Philharmonic rings in the New Year with its annual concert from Vienna's Musikverein conducted for the first time by Yannick Nézet-Séguin with performances by the Vienna State Ballet and location segments hosted by Hugh Bonneville.

From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2026

Episode 8

Episode 1

Abide with Me

Ellington: The Music Lives On

San Francisco Opera: Mefistofele by Arrigo Boito

Episode 14

Turandot

The story of the fall and redemption of Jean Valjean, arrested for stealing some bread for his starving family. In prison he's constantly bothered by the hard-nosed lawman Javert. Valjean is paroled, but runs away and becomes the mayor of a small town. He meets a dying woman named Fantine and swears to raise her daughter. Javert catches up to him, but Valjean escapes. The daughter, Cosette, grows up and falls in love with Marius, a student. An ill-fated, student-led revolution makes the mother of all climaxes for this beauty of a production. And the end with the 50 or so Valjeans is pretty impressive!

Les Misérables in Concert

Episode 11

This film presents highlights of a concert given on 28 September 1998 at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Some of the ladies offer songs with which they have been closely associated over the years, while others explore the road not taken.

My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies

Episode 9

Rejoice with the Tony Award-winning high-heeled hit musical with songs by pop icon Cyndi Lauper and a book by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein about an unexpected duo that embraces their differences to create an extraordinary line of shoes.

Kinky Boots

Alice in Wonderland

In 1890s London, two friends use the same pseudonym ("Ernest") for their on-the-sly activities. Hilarity ensues.

The Importance of Being Ernest

The legendary gospel musical that transforms Sophocles’ timeless tale of the last days of Oedipus into a parable for our times. With its epic poetry and magnificent score, The Gospel at Colonus reminds us that out of the deepest sorrow, the highest and most uplifting hope can emerge.

The Gospel at Colonus (Episode 4)

Episode 15

The Merry Widow

Doctor Fischer of Geneva

The Most Happy Fella

A multi-award winning biography covering the life and career of actor/director Laurence Olivier.

Laurence Olivier: A Life

The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.

All Episodes of Great Performances

Season 1

Episode 1

Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1/28/1971

Episode 2

Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 2/4/1971

Episode 3

Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 2/25/1971

Paradise Lost

Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 2/25/1971

Hogan's Goat

Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 10/18/1971