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Great Performances

The Magic of Grace Bumbry

Season 53 Episode 1 | 53m 55s

Discover Grace Bumbry’s inspiring rise to global opera fame. Spotlighting her historic performances, the film explores the racial barriers she overcame to triumph in her 1966 performance as "Carmen."

Aired: 10/02/25 | Expires: 10/31/25
Major series funding for GREAT PERFORMANCES is provided by The Joseph & Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Arts Fund, the LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Jody and John Arnhold, the Abra Prentice Foundation, The Starr Foundation, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, the Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, the Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Seton J. Melvin, the Estate of Worthington Mayo-Smith, the Jack Lawrence Charitable Remainder Trust Worchell Lawrence, and Ellen and James S. Marcus.
Extras
Watch • 2:44
Great Performances
Quincy Jones & John Williams Record "Peter Gunn"
Quincy Jones, John Williams and Herbie Hancock record a rendition of "Peter Gunn."
Clip: S52 E4 | 2:44
Watch • 0:30
Great Performances
"Twelfth Night" Preview
The Shakespearean comedy of mistaken identity tells the misadventures of Sebastian and Viola.
Preview: S53 E4 | 0:30
Watch • 3:17
Great Performances
Ballerina Tiler Peck Battles a Neck Injury
Dancer Tiler Peck works to recover from a debilitating neck injury.
Clip: S53 E3 | 3:17
Watch • 2:08
Great Performances
Tiler Peck prepares to perform "Swift Arrow" by Alonzo King
Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia prepare to perform "Swift Arrow" by Alonzo King.
Clip: S53 E3 | 2:08
Watch • 3:44
Great Performances
How Tiler Peck Started in New York on Broadway
Acclaimed dancer Tiler Peck explains how she got her start on Broadway at 11.
Clip: S53 E3 | 3:44
Watch • 0:30
Great Performances
"Tiler Peck: Suspending Time" Preview
Follow prima ballerina Tiler Peck as she overcomes injury and pursues a new career as choreographer.
Preview: S53 E3 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
Great Performances
"Great Performances at the Met: Il Barbiere di Siviglia" Preview
Rossini’s effervescent comedy retakes the stage in Bartlett Sher’s madcap production.
Preview: S53 E2 | 0:30
Watch • 1:25
Great Performances
Aigul Akhmetshina as Rosina in "Il Barbiere di Siviglia."
Aigul Akhmetshina sings an excerpt from Rosina’s Act II aria.
Clip: S53 E2 | 1:25
Watch • 10:44
Great Performances
Taking Note — Tommy Mesa
Cellist Tommy Mesa's love of music began with his interest in playing drums.
Special: 10:44
Watch • 9:03
Great Performances
Taking Note — Joshua Brown
Following in his brother’s footsteps, Joshua Brown picked up the violin at age two.
Special: 9:03
All
  • All
  • Great Performances Season 53
  • Great Performances Season 52
  • Great Performances Season 51
  • Great Performances Season 50
  • Great Performances Season 49
  • Great Performances Season 48
  • Great Performances Season 47
  • Great Performances Season 46
  • Great Performances Season 45
  • Great Performances Season 44
  • Great Performances Season 43
  • Great Performances Season 42
  • Great Performances Season 41
  • Great Performances Season 40
  • Great Performances Season 39
  • Great Performances Season 38
  • Great Performances Season 37
  • Great Performances Season 36
  • Great Performances Season 35
Great Performances
Twelfth Night
The Shakespearean comedy of mistaken identity tells the misadventures of Sebastian and Viola.
Episode: S53 E4
Great Performances
Tiler Peck: Suspending Time
Follow prima ballerina Tiler Peck as she overcomes injury and pursues a new career as choreographer.
Episode: S53 E3
Watch • 2:42:21
Great Performances
Great Performances at the Met: Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Rossini’s effervescent comedy retakes the stage in Bartlett Sher’s madcap production.
Episode: S53 E2 | 2:42:21
Great Performances
Great Performances at the Met: Salome
Director Claus Guth reimagines the biblical tale through Oscar Wilde’s haunting play.
Episode: S52 E24
Watch • 1:25:09
Great Performances
Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2025
The beloved annual concert performed by Vienna Philharmonic in Schönbrunn Palace Park.
Episode: S52 E23 | 1:25:09
Watch • 2:58:47
Great Performances
Great Performances at the Met: Le Nozze di Figaro
Conductor Joana Mallwitz makes her Met debut leading the cast in Mozart’s comic masterpiece.
Episode: S52 E22 | 2:58:47
Great Performances
Great Performances at the Met: Fidelio
In her second role of this season of Great Performances at the Met, Lise Davidsen stars as Leonore.
Episode: S52 E21
Watch • 2:36:40
Great Performances
Great Performances at the Met: Aida
Angel Blue makes her highly anticipated Met role debut as Aida.
Episode: S52 E20 | 2:36:40
Watch • 2:24:55
Great Performances
Kiss Me, Kate
Experience this Cole Porter classic musical starring Tony winner Stephanie J. Block.
Episode: S52 E19 | 2:24:55
Watch • 2:13:31
Great Performances
Girl from the North Country
Experience this musical by Conor McPherson featuring the music of Bob Dylan set in 1934 Minnesota.
Episode: S52 E18 | 2:13:31