Great Performances

Season 40

TV-14

"You Can't Take It With You" is hailed one of the greatest revivals and filmed plays for PBS television. David Woods brought stunning charm, humor, and time to this Moss Hart masterpiece. Jason Robards, Jr. gave the collective performance of his career. Colleen Dewhurst perfection, Elizabeth Wilson superior, a joyous ensemble.

Where to Watch Season 40

18 Episodes

Paul McCartney's Live Kisses
E1
Paul McCartney's Live KissesPaul McCartney’s Live Kisses captures the magical night of February 9 in the City of Angels when Paul McCartney decided to bring Kisses On The Bottom, his newly released collection of pop standards and two originals, to life.
Rod Stewart: Merry Christmas, Baby
E2
Rod Stewart: Merry Christmas, BabyGrammy Award®-winning, two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Rod Stewart, hosts his first holiday special featuring Mary J. Blige, Cee-Lo Green, and Chris Botti.
Magical Mystery Tour Revisited
E3
Magical Mystery Tour RevisitedMagical Mystery Tour was chock-full of thinly veiled references to psychedelia, anarchy and fantasy, all in the setting of a traditional British sightseeing bus outing to the seaside. The story behind the Beatles film – Magical Mystery Tour – is revealed on Magical Mystery Tour Revisited.
From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2013
E4
From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2013We continue the cherished tradition of ringing in the New Year with special host Julie Andrews and the Vienna Philharmonic at the opulent Musikverein, under the baton of guest conductor Franz Welser-Möst and featuring everyone’s favorite Strauss Family waltzes accompanied by the beautiful dancing of the Vienna City Ballet.
Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy
E5
Broadway Musicals: A Jewish LegacyThis film explores the unique role of Jewish composers and lyricists in the creation of the modern American musical. Featuring interviews and conversations with some of the greatest composers and writers of the Broadway stage.
Paul Simon's Graceland Journey: Under African Skies
E6
Paul Simon's Graceland Journey: Under African SkiesAn epic journey following Paul Simon back to South Africa, where, decades earlier, he created his seminal album Graceland. The film includes revealing interviews with Simon and such musical legends as Quincy Jones, Harry Belafonte, Paul McCartney and David Byrne.
Great Performances at the Met: L'Elisir d'Amore
E7
Great Performances at the Met: L'Elisir d'AmoreStar soprano Anna Netrebko takes center stage as Adina, the irresistible heroine of Gaetano Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore (The Elixir of Love).
Great Performances at the Met: The Tempest
E8
Great Performances at the Met: The TempestThe Tempest, Robert Lepage’s Staging of the English-language Opera Based on Shakespeare’s Final Play.
Great Performances at the Met: La Clemenza di Tito
E9
Great Performances at the Met: La Clemenza di TitoLa Clemenza di Tito, Mozart’s final opera seria, with Barbara Frittoli, Elīna Garanča, and Giuseppe Filianoti airs on Great Performances at the Met Sunday, April 14 at 12 noon on PBS.
Great Performances at the Met: Un Ballo in Maschera
E10
Great Performances at the Met: Un Ballo in MascheraThe Met’s new production of Un Ballo in Maschera, Verdi's classic drama of political intrigue and thwarted romance.
Great Performances at the Met: Rigoletto
E11
Great Performances at the Met: RigolettoTony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening) makes his Met debut with a new production of Verdi’s Rigoletto. The new staging moves the opera’s tragic events from a decadent 16th-century Italian court to the glitzy, depraved setting of the Las Vegas strip circa 1960.
Great Performances at the Met: Aida
E12
Great Performances at the Met: AidaOne of the most popular and beloved operas of all time, Aida, in a spectacular staging that captures the grandeur of Ancient Egypt.
Great Performances at the Met: Les Troyens
E13
Great Performances at the Met: Les TroyensFabio Luisi conducts the five-act tragedy, which stars Deborah Voigt as Cassandra, Susan Graham as Dido, and Bryan Hymel as Aeneas.
Dancing at Jacob’s Pillow: Never Stand Still
E14
Dancing at Jacob’s Pillow: Never Stand StillDirected by veteran documentary filmmaker Ron Honsa, "Dancing at Jacob’s Pillow: Never Stand Still" reveals the passion, discipline, and daring of those who choose a life in dance. Performances filmed live at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, interviews with extraordinary artists, rare archival footage, and behind the scenes insights bring dance to life.
Great Performances at the Met: Parsifal
E15
Great Performances at the Met: ParsifalJonas Kaufmann sings the title role in The Metropolitan Opera's new production of "Parsifal"
Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2013
E16
Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2013The works of Wagner and Verdi are featured in the beloved concert from Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace Gardens.
Great Performances at the Met: Francesca di Rimini
E17
Great Performances at the Met: Francesca di RiminiEva-Maria Westbroek and Marcello Giordani star in Zandonai’s masterpiece Francesca da Rimini, the classic tale of doomed love,based on an episode from Dante’s Inferno.
Great Performances at the Met: Giulio Cesare
E18
Great Performances at the Met: Giulio CesareDavid Daniels and Natalie Dessay star in David McVicar‘s innovative production of Handel’s most popular opera.