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 “Old Friends”

53m 54s

Explore how virtuosos become maestros and discover their guiding principles through host Scott Yoo’s long friendships with Grammy winner Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Richard Kogan and violinist Lynn Chang.

Episodes

  • Now Hear This “Old Friends”: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Now Hear This “Old Friends”

    S51 E16 - 53m 54s

    Explore how virtuosos become maestros and discover their guiding principles through host Scott Yoo’s long friendships with Grammy winner Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Richard Kogan and violinist Lynn Chang.

  • Now Hear This “Virtuosos”: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Now Hear This “Virtuosos”

    S51 E15 - 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.

  • Now Hear This “Rising Stars”: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Now Hear This “Rising Stars”

    S51 E14 - 53m 54s

    Visit Julliard Pre-College with Scott Yoo to play with some of tomorrow’s virtuosos and travel to Singapore to meet rising star, Chloe Chua, who reminds Yoo of the dedication and passion required to prepare for a professional career.

  • George Jones: Still Playin’ Possum: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    George Jones: Still Playin’ Possum

    S51 E11 - 1h 24m

    Honor one of the most beloved stars in country music history with this all-star tribute concert featuring Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Wynonna, Jelly Roll, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, Lorrie Morgan, Justin Moore, Trace Adkins and more.

  • The LA Phil Celebrates Frank Gehry: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The LA Phil Celebrates Frank Gehry

    S51 E10 - 1h 24m

    Celebrate 20 years at Walt Disney Concert Hall with the LA Phil in a tribute to its architect. Led by Gustavo Dudamel, the concert includes a piece composed and conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, performances by Herbie Hancock and H.E.R., and more.

  • Making Shakespeare: The First Folio: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Making Shakespeare: The First Folio

    S51 E7 - 1h 53m

    Celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio, which saved 18 plays from being lost. Tracing the First Folio’s story, the film also spotlights how New York City’s Public Theater presents Shakespeare’s work for today’s audiences.

  • Message In A Bottle: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Message In A Bottle

    S51 E4 - 1h 25m

    Experience five-time Olivier Award nominee Kate Prince’s dance and theater show set to the songs of 17-time Grammy winner Sting. Telling the story of a migrant family, the show from London’s Sadler's Wells Theatre features a mix of dance styles.

  • New York City Ballet in Madrid: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    New York City Ballet in Madrid

    S51 E3 - 1h 24m

    New York City Ballet presents an evening of works recorded during company’s European tour in spring 2023. Captured in peak performance at Madrid’s Teatro Real, the program features two masterpieces choreographed by NYCB co-founder and original Artistic Director George Balanchine, “Serenade” and “Square Dance.”

Extras + Features

  • Audra McDonald at the London Palladium Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Audra McDonald at the London Palladium Preview

    S51 E20 - 30s

    The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards as well as two Grammy awards and an Emmy, Audra McDonald performs a repertoire of classic Broadway songs, including “I Am What I Am,” “Summertime,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and many more.

  • Hamlet Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Hamlet Preview

    S51 E19 - 30s

    From The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park, experience this Shakespearean classic directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon featuring Tony Award nominee Ato Blankson-Wood (“Slave Play”) in the title role and Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia (“Hadestown”).

  • Hamlet in Today's World: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Hamlet in Today's World

    S51 E19 - 8m 17s

    The cast of Hamlet (Ato Blankson-Wood, Solea Pfieffer, and Nick Rehberger) discuss what it means to bring Shakespeare's "Hamlet" into the modern day.

  • Great Performances at the Met: Nabucco Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Great Performances at the Met: Nabucco Preview

    S51 E18 - 30s

    Ancient Babylon comes to life in this production of Verdi’s early masterpiece. Baritone George Gagnidze makes his Met role debut as the imperious king Nabucco, alongside soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska reprising her turn as his vengeful daughter, Abigaille. Daniele Callegari conducts and Angel Blue hosts.

  • Now Hear This "The Composer is Yoo" Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Now Hear This "The Composer is Yoo" Preview

    S51 E17 - 30s

    Follow host Scott Yoo’s journey to compose a piece of music for the first time. Seeking counsel from other composers, Yoo revisits his heritage in search of ideas, performs landmark pieces for inspiration and ultimately tests his work in progress.

Schedule

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Great Performances: Hamlet: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Hamlet

    Friday
    May 10

    3 Hours

    A present-day take on Shakespeare's "Hamlet" features Ato Blankson-Wood in the title role and Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia.
  • Great Performances: Hamlet: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Hamlet

    Friday
    May 10

    3 Hours

    A present-day take on Shakespeare's "Hamlet" features Ato Blankson-Wood in the title role and Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia.
  • Great Performances: Hamlet: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Hamlet

    Saturday
    May 11

    3 Hours

    A present-day take on Shakespeare's "Hamlet" features Ato Blankson-Wood in the title role and Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia.
  • Great Performances: Hamlet: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Hamlet

    Saturday
    May 11

    3 Hours

    A present-day take on Shakespeare's "Hamlet" features Ato Blankson-Wood in the title role and Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia.
  • Great Performances: Hamlet: TVSS: Iconic

    Great Performances

    Hamlet

    Sunday
    May 12

    3 Hours

    A present-day take on Shakespeare's "Hamlet" features Ato Blankson-Wood in the title role and Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia.

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.

Similar Shows