Episode 1
From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 1998
Episode credits
Directed by Susan Froemke, Kathy Dougherty
TV series
Great Performances
1971TV-1453 seasons6.1 / 10
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.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Where to watch in United States
Checked Sep 1, 2026
Great Performances is available to stream on DirecTV On Demand and YouTube TV in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Synopsis
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.
Season 29 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Where to watch Great Performances
Episode 2
Episode 2
7.0 / 10
Episode credits
Guest stars Quincy Jones, Whoopi Goldberg
Episode 3
Episode 3
7.0 / 10
Episode credits
Guest stars Ruby Dee, Christopher Jones, Maya Angelou, Diahann Carroll, Cab Calloway
Episode 4
Episode 4
10.0 / 10
Episode credits
Guest stars Kathleen Battle, Savion Glover, Wynton Marsalis, Chita Rivera
Episode 5
Frank Sinatra: The Very Good Years
10.0 / 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.
Episode credits
Guest stars Shirley Jones, Jacqueline Bisset, Ernest Borgnine, Eddie Albert, Frank Sinatra, Vikki Carr, Sammy Davis Jr.
Episode 6
Episode 6
Episode credits
Guest stars Giovanni Martinelli, Magda Olivero
Episode 7
Episode 7
9.0 / 10
Episode credits
Guest stars Adam Cooper, Scott Ambler, Fiona Chadwick, Barry Atkinson, Emily Piercy
Episode 8
Episode 8
7.0 / 10
Episode credits
Guest stars Sam Shepard, Edward Albee, Ed Harris, Ethan Hawke, Gary Sinise
Episode 11
Episode 11
9.0 / 10
Episode credits
Directed by Mischa ScorerGuest stars Zizi Jeanmaire, Roland Petit
Episode 12
Episode 12
10.0 / 10
Episode credits
Guest stars Jon Bon Jovi, Victoria Beckham, Mel B, Emma Bunton, Melanie C, Céline Dion, Luciano Pavarotti, Eros Ramazzotti
Episode 13
Episode 13
10.0 / 10finale
Episode credits
Guest stars Renée Fleming, Elizabeth Futral
Episode information updated Sep 3, 2026
More about Great Performances
Cast
Bray PoorNarrator (voice)
Rue McClanahanFaye PreciousJoyce EbertMrs. Holroyd
Frederick CoffinSecond Guard
Geraldine FitzgeraldMrs.Atkins
Frank LangellaKonstantin Treplev
Charles KimbroughDr.Spiga
Stephen SondheimSelfProduction details
- Status
- Returning Series
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 717
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
PBSUnited States
ThirteenUnited States
Themes
anthologybased on novel or bookbased on play or musicalfilmed theaterliterary adaptation
