Schedule
Are you trying to find out when is the next airing of GREAT PERFORMANCES? What is the schedule for the current season? Please click here for more details.
Shop
Do you want to purchase DVDs of GREAT PERFORMANCES episodes? Please click here for more details.
Educational materials
Are you interested in educational materials for GREAT PERFORMANCES? Please click here for more details.
Other questions?
Please submit any other questions or requests via our feedback form.
37 Responses to “FAQ”
Leave a Reply
Please note that the THIRTEEN editorial staff reserves the right to not post comments it deems to be inappropriate and/or malicious in nature, as well as edit comments for length, clarity and fairness. No solicitations or advertisements will be allowed. Users may link to other Web sites relevant to discussion, but most often links to commercial Web sites will not be permitted.



How do I purchase a DVD of the Vienna performance with Julie Andrews?
Are there any GP programs already aired that are scheduled for rebroadcast? Such as the opening gala with Renee Flemming, La Damnation of Faust or the Pavorotti birthday program
What was the music for the title sequence for the 1989 Showboat episode of GP? I only heard it once but it has never left me.
Michael Tilson Thomas has written, narrates, conducts the orchestra and performs in (along with 4 actors) a tribute to his grandparents called “The Thomashevskys.” His grandparents, Boris & Bessie Thomashevsky, were stars of the American Yiddish Theatre and very colorful characters. This is a wonderful, heartfelt tribute and insight into the theater life. This would make a fabulous “GP” presentation. MTT performs it periodically around the country. This August he’ll be performing it at Tanglewood in the Berkshires. Probably too late to arrange for a filming session for future b’cast, but do check it out!
When will The Thomashevskys be broadcast on PBS in New York?
It just so happens that The Tomashefskys was recorded in April 2011 and will be a GREAT PERFORMANCES presentation TBD in Winter / Spring 2012. Keep an eye out for further announcements about this program. Thank you for your interest.
Is there an updated date for the airing of MTT’s The Thomashefskys and corallary to that, how can I obtain a DVD of the program?
Hi Kathleen,
Yes, we HAVE received an airdate for The Thomashefskys! It is currently scheduled to air Thursday, April 5th at 9:00pm. Just remember to check your local listings and set your local station at the pbs.org website.
As of now, a DVD release is currently under discussion. We’ll keep you updated when we know.
Hi Kathleen,
Just to update you and everyone else who’s excited about The Thomashefkys, the airdate has been MOVED from its original airdate on Thursday, April 5th at 9:00pm to Thursday, March 29th at 8:00pm. As always, it’s a good idea to check your local listings as the airdate approaches.
Hope you find this info helpful.
how does pbs determine which performances to record and present. These are great and would love to be there live during taping.
The music from the title sequence for the 1989 Showboat performance from Paper Mill Playhouse was an instrumental version of “Why do I love you?” which prominently featured use of a banjo.
It’s been 20 years – now is the time for a rebroadcast in honor of its anniversary.
please provide email address to contact John Walker
Is there any connection between the book, Passing Strange, and the Great Performance presentation of Passing Strange?
WHEN and WHERE can we find the REAL schedule for GP from the Met broadcasts on KOCE , OC Huntington Beach or thereabouts ??? Following your instructions leads you NOWHERE. I am so angry and frustrated that I have no intention of making any future contributions to you.
Why does the schedule/episode list only list shows/events that have already aired and not the ones that are coming up? This is very frustrating.
How do I obtain a copy of Wagner’s trilogy The Ring performed in Bayreuth for the 100th anniversary?
Actually, it is a tetralogy: Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung.
The Bayreuth production of 1976 – 1980 by Patrice Chéreau, conducted by Pierre Boulez is widely available on DVD, as in:
http://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Nibelung-Rheingold-Siegfried-G%C3%B6tterd%C3%A4mmerung/dp/B0009F2EPU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1288995467&sr=1-2
So when does the next GP at the MET season begin?
I am assuming there will be a new season…
How do you choose what is taped for Great Performances? I love the musical Avenue Q and have seen it on Broadway, and have been searching for a taping of the show. Is this something that Great Performances would think about taping?
I swear I saw the musical Avenue Q on TV back in the late 80’s to early 90’s was it PBS that showed it? If so where can I find a copy?
Avenue Q did not appear until 2003 OffBroadway before transferring to Broadway.
Hello, I was wondering if it is possible to watch these episodes online, and if so, how?
Thank you.
Hi Leah,
Many GREAT PERFORMANCES programs are available to watch online. Please click the VIDEO tab above to see which clips and scenes and which full programs are available for free online streaming.
Thanks for your question.
Hello. Can you tell me when Memphis and the 25th Anniversary Performance of The Pantom of the Opera is scheduled to air?
Thank you!
Could you please tell me what steps I have to do in order to watch now the opera Anna Bolena. This is my first time visiting the site and its very interesting. I would like to watch more programs but I do not live in the US.
Thank you for your prompt reply.
I have been searching for a recording of the Dance America episode “A Choreographer’s Notebook: Stravinsky Piano Ballets by Peter Martins” from 2/13/84. Is that available anywhere?
Thanks!
Can you tell me when the BBC2/NBC Universal production of Richard II and the other history plays will air on GP?
I’m looking for a butoh performance shown during the 1980s on PBS. I suspect it may have been a Great Performances program, but I am unsure. The dancers performed in an empty space with a wooden floor, perhaps a warehouse of some sort. One of the dancers was suspended by his ankles. I don’t recall the name of the troupe, unfortunately. Is this performance available?
Hi Cam,
We’ll need a little more info to figure out what you’re looking for. Do you have any idea who the dance company or choreographer was?
Thanks,
GP Team
My mother recorded A Global Celebration on VCR way back… I looked it up and it says it aired in 1986 and I found this description: “Beverly Sills hosts a concert of music and dance telecast from five continents. Performers include Luciano Pavarotti, Ravi Shankar, Katia Ricciarelli, Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, the Kirov Ballet, Odetta, Jose Carreras, the Vienna Choir Boys, Montserrat Caballe, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, the BBC Welsh Chorus, Gregg Burge and Ivo Pogorelich.”
This was one of my favorite Great Performances. I only have that old VCR copy that I’m afraid is deteriorating. Any way to purchase an official copy? I have been looking for YEARS. This particular Great Performances is what made me fall in love with music when I was about four years old. Thank you!
Hi Mar,
Unfortunately, we do not have any VHS copies of this program available. However, sometimes you can find these items used on ebay or amazon. We thank you for continuing to watch GREAT PERFORMANCES.
Thank you for your question.
Hey Senabi! Thanks for you kind words and taking time to post a reply to our work!
I’m interested in the dance companies that were highlighted in the first Dance in American series in the late 80’s- I believe there were ten: I remember ABT, City Ballet of NY, Alvin Ailey, Joffrey Ballet – what was the complete list?
thanks
I am looking for “Showboat” as recorded at Paper Mill Playhouse and broadcast some years ago on PBS. I have seen an old VHS that someone made off air, but it was deteriorating. Also I would like to have “New Moon,” from PBS – are they available, thank you. Ed Rogers
Hi
Where and how may I volunteer to support some of the Performances?
Hi Tez,
Stations around the country are having pledge drives to support their ability to bring you the programming that you love (including GREAT PERFORMANCES). If you have interest in supporting us, we encourage you to participate in your local market’s pledge drive or purchase GREAT PERFORMANCES programs during the drive or on shoppbs.org
We thank you for your support!
When will the station KUAT air the GP musical Memphis again