Watch Great Performances

Great Performances is a television anthology series dedicated to the performing arts, airing on PBS since 1972. The long-running show features performances of music, dance, opera, theater, and other artistic genres from around the world. Great Performances offers viewers a front-row seat to outstanding performances captured live on stage or filmed on location.

The series has been a staple of PBS programming for over 50 years, making Great Performances one of the longest-running programs on American television. Over the decades, the show has covered a diverse array of artists and genres ranging from classical music to contemporary pop, with legendary stars like Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, and Mikhail Baryshnikov gracing the Great Performances stage.

Great Performances captures the electricity of live performance and allows viewers to experience the arts in an intimate, up-close setting. The show’s production values are impeccable, filming on location at renowned venues like the Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, and Covent Garden. State-of-the-art techniques like multiple camera angles, careful audio mixing, and HD video create a visually stunning and sonically rich experience for home audiences.

The series also provides illuminating background and interviews with the featured artists, giving context about the material and offering insight into their creative process. Viewers get a multifaceted look at what goes into live performance at the highest level. Whether showcasing emerging talent or superstar artists, Great Performances offers an unparalleled look at the vibrant world of the performing arts.

Over its long history, Great Performances has been recognized with numerous awards including over 70 Emmy Awards. The show has also featured important talent behind the camera like distinguished directors Kirk Browning and John Caird. Great Performances continues to evolve with the times, integrating digital media and exploring new frontiers like dance for film. However, the core mission remains to showcase diverse world-class arts programming not found anywhere else on television.

For over five decades, Great Performances has made the performing arts accessible to millions who otherwise might not have the opportunity. The show has nurtured a deeper love and appreciation for music, theater, dance, and culture. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado of the arts or someone looking to broaden your horizons, Great Performances offers an engaging look at incredible artistry that both entertains and inspires.

Great Performances is a series that ran for 52 seasons (297 episodes) between November 4, 1972 and on PBS