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.
Great Performances (Season 44)
GRAMMY Salute to Music Legends 2016 (Episode 1)
Air date: 2016-10-14
Overview: In collaboration with The Recording Academy, Great Performances presents “GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends,” a special all-star concert offering a primetime spotlight for The Academy’s 2016 Special Merit Awards recipients. The celebration and tribute concert features rare performances by honorees and never-before-seen renditions by those they’ve inspired.
Hamilton's America (Episode 2)
Air date: 2016-10-20
Overview: A behind-the-scenes look at Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway musical Hamilton, coming to Great Performances as part of the 2016 PBS Arts Fall Festival.
Gypsy (Episode 3)
Air date: 2016-11-11
Overview: Jonathan Kent’s award-winning production of the classic musical Gypsy – a record-breaking sellout during its acclaimed London run – comes to THIRTEEN’s Great Performances, Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. on PBS on the PBS Arts Fall Festival.
The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses | Henry VI, Part 1 (Episode 4)
Air date: 2016-12-11
Overview: The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses with an all-star cast including Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Sturridge, Sophie Okonedo, Keeley Hawes, Hugh Bonneville, Judi Dench & Michael Gambon. It airs on three consecutive Sundays beginning December 11 at 9 p.m. and picks up the story with epic film versions of Henry VI (in two parts) and Richard III.
The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses | Henry VI, Part 2 (Episode 5)
Air date: 2016-12-18
Overview: Henry IV Part 2 is the second of three parts in The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses. Bitter rivalries erupt into the Wars of the Roses. The feeble King Henry is overshadowed by Queen Margaret and her faction of Lancastrian Lords, his reign further undermined by disaffected nobles supporting the House of York. Battle and bloodshed ensue.
Shakespeare Live! From the Royal Shakespeare Company (Episode 6)
Air date: 2016-12-23
Overview: The star-studded Shakespeare Live! from the Royal Shakespeare Company salutes the Bard across multiple genres. This celebratory event, hosted by David Tennant and Catherine Tate, features Benedict Cumberbatch, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Rufus Wainwright, Joseph Fiennes, and many more.
The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses | Richard III (Episode 7)
Air date: 2016-12-25
Overview: Richard III is the third of three parts in The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses. Richard III, the most notorious of Shakespeare’s kings, manipulates his way through the court on a ruthless path to the throne. But after Richard’s defeat at the battle of Bosworth Field, the Houses of Lancaster and York unite, bringing the Wars of the Roses and a tumultuous period of civil strife to an end.
From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2017 (Episode 8)
Air date: 2017-01-01
Overview: Stage and screen legend Julie Andrews returns for the eighth time to host the festive annual New Year's celebration with the Vienna Philharmonic, under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel, from Vienna's Musikverein. The Vienna Philharmonic and soloists of the Vienna State Ballet return for the beloved annual tradition against the joyful backdrop of the scenic city.
Bel Canto the Opera From Lyric Opera of Chicago (Episode 9)
Air date: 2017-01-13
Overview: Bel Canto the Opera from Lyric Opera of Chicago Comes to Great Performances. Lyric’s creative consultant, soprano Renée Fleming, hosts the opera, which she curated from its inception.
Alicia Keys - Landmarks Live in Concert (Episode 10)
Air date: 2017-01-20
Overview: The series premieres with a native New Yorker from Hell’s Kitchen, Grammy Award-winning artist, Alicia Keys. Her collaboration with Jay Z, “Empire State of Mind,” instantly became the City’s newest anthem. In this debut Landmarks Live special recorded over a one-year period, Alicia’s love affair with New York continues as she performs in notable locations all around the city.
Brad Paisley – Landmarks Live in Concert (Episode 11)
Air date: 2017-01-27
Overview: Country music superstar Brad Paisley returns to his roots in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains for a special outdoor concert at West Virginia University. As the hit-maker behind 23 number one singles and the winner of just about every Country music award imaginable, Brad brings his unique skills as a singer songwriter, guitarist and entertainer back to his home state.
Great Performances at the Met: Tristan und Isolde (Episode 12)
Air date: 2017-01-29
Overview: The Met’s new production of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle in his first Met performances since his 2010 debut, opens the new season of Great Performances at the Met, Sunday, January 29 at 12 p.m. on PBS (check local listings). Nina Stemme and Stuart Skelton star in The Met’s new production of Tristan und Isolde.
New York City Ballet in Paris (Episode 13)
Air date: 2017-02-17
Overview: New York City Ballet in Paris is the part one of a two-part special featuring four ballets by NYCB co-founder George Balanchine set to the music of French composers. The program opens with Gounod's Walpurgisnacht Ballet and culminates with Ravel's La Valse. Both programs are hosted by NYCB Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins.
Great Performances at the Met: Don Giovanni (Episode 14)
Air date: 2017-02-19
Overview: Charismatic baritone Simon Keenlyside stars as the title character in Don Giovanni, bringing his acclaimed interpretation of the role to Great Performances at the Met for the first time. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi conducts Tony Award-winner Michael Grandage’s staging of Mozart’s masterpiece.
New York City Ballet Symphony in C (Episode 15)
Air date: 2017-02-24
Overview: New York City Ballet Symphony in C is part two of a two-part special featuring four ballets by NYCB co-founder George Balanchine set to the music of French composers. Symphony in C opens with Ravel's Sonatine. Bizet's Symphony in C is the finale of the two-part special. Both programs are hosted by NYCB Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins.
Dudamel Conducts Tangos Under the Stars (Episode 16)
Air date: 2017-03-30
Overview: Gustavo Dudamel accents the colors, rhythms, and passion of music by leading composers from Argentina in this invigorating evening under the stars on Dudamel Conducts Tangos Under the Stars with the LA Phil — recorded at the Hollywood Bowl in August.
Great Performances at the Met: L'Amour de Loin (Episode 17)
Air date: 2017-04-01
Overview: Kaija Saariaho’s L’Amour de Loin (“Love From Afar”), one of the most highly praised operas of recent years.
Young Men (Episode 18)
Air date: 2017-04-06
Overview: Young Men, a World War I-inspired feature-length dance film commemorating the Great War’s centennial. Young Men was filmed on location in Northern France with the BalletBoyz dance company.
Great Performances at The Met: Romeo et Juliette (Episode 19)
Air date: 2017-04-13
Overview: Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolo star as the tragic lovers in Shakespeare’s classic story. Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette.
Great Performances at the Met: Nabucco (Episode 20)
Air date: 2017-05-07
Overview: The legendary Plácido Domingo brings another new baritone role to the Met as the title king in Nabucco, under the baton of his longtime collaborator James Levine.
Great Performances at the Met: Rusalka (Episode 21)
Air date: 2017-06-18
Overview: Kristine Opolais stars in her first Met performance as the title character in Antonin Dvořák's Rusalka. The critically acclaimed new staging, directed by Mary Zimmerman and conducted by Mark Elder.
Andrea Bocelli – Landmarks Live in Concert (Episode 22)
Air date: 2017-06-30
Overview: Andrea Bocelli – Landmarks Live in Concert continues the new Landmarks arts strand. Each Landmarks Live in Concert special features an artist or band performing at a legendary destination of personal significance. The series is hosted by Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, who conducts one-on-one interviews with the artists.
Great Performances at the Met: Idomeneo (Episode 23)
Air date: 2017-07-16
Overview: Music Director Emeritus James Levine conducts an extraordinary ensemble in Idomeneo, Mozart’s early masterpiece of love and vengeance following the Trojan War.
Great Performances at The Met: Eugene Onegin (Episode 24)
Air date: 2017-08-13
Overview: Anna Netrebko stars as Tatiana, the naïve heroine of Tchaikovsky’s opera, with Peter Mattei as the title character who rejects her. Alexey Dolgov is Onegin’s friend-turned-rival, Lenski, with Elena Maximova as Tatiana’s sister, Olga, and Štefan Kocán as Prince Gremin. Robin Ticciati conducts.
Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2017 (Episode 25)
Air date: 2017-08-18
Overview: The world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic returns for its 14th open-air concert, in Austria’s Imperial Schönbrunn Palace Gardens. Christoph Eschenbach conducts a varied program of works from “Sleeping Beauty” to “Hansel and Gretel” to “Harry Potter.”
Great Performances at the Met: La Traviata (Episode 26)
Air date: 2017-08-25
Overview: Sonya Yoncheva reprises her widely praised interpretation of the heroine Violetta Valéry in Verdi’s La Traviata, on Great Performances at the Met. Michael Fabiano is her lover, Alfredo, Thomas Hampson, in one of his most acclaimed Met roles, returns as Alfredo’s protective father, Giorgio Germont. San Francisco Opera Music Director Nicola Luisotti conducts.
Great Performances at the Met: Der Rosenkavalier (Episode 27)
Air date: 2017-09-03
Overview: Renée Fleming performs one of her greatest signature roles, The Marschallin, in Der Rosenkavalier on the season finale of Great Performances at the Met. Elīna Garanča plays Octavian, the impulsive young title character. The opera was conducted by Sebastian Weigle and directed by Robert Carsen.
