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Season 50, Episode 23

Leonard Bernstein's Kaddish Symphony

August 21, 2023

Performed from Highland Park’s Ravinia Festival, Great Performances presents legendary composer Leonard Bernstein’s Kaddish symphony featuring the talent of Uniting Voices (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir), Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Led by famed conductor and Bernstein protégé Marin Alsop, the work includes music and spoken narrative segments voiced by narrator Jaye Ladymore (“Chicago Med”) and sung by soprano soloist Janai Brugger (Great Performances at the Met: Medea). Recorded July 2022, the symphony examines questions of humanity and faith, exploring the complicated nature of a higher power who governs mortality.

All episodes — Season 50

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  1. S50 E1

    Black Lucy and The Bard

    Sep 16, 202285 min

    Explore Shakespeare’s love life through the perspective of the “Dark Lady” in this work from Nashville Ballet based on poetry by Caroline Randall Williams and featuring an original score by GRAMMY winner Rhiannon Giddens. TV-14

  2. S50 E2

    Intimate Apparel

    Sep 23, 2022134 min

    Experience the story of seamstress Esther who begins writing to a mysterious suitor laboring on the Panama Canal. Featuring music by Ricky Ian Gordon, a libretto by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, this powerful opera is directed by Tony

  3. S50 E3

    Great Performances at the Met: Lucia Di Lammermoor

    Oct 2, 2022

    Soprano Nadine Sierra returns to the stage in one of the most formidable and storied roles, the haunted heroine Lucia di Lammermoor, in a production with new staging by Australian theater and film director Simon Stone, conducted by Riccardo

  4. S50 E4

    Great Performances at the Met: Hamlet

    Nov 6, 2022

    Experience this contemporary opera based on Shakespeare’s masterpiece directed by Neil Armfield and composed by Brett Dean. Starring Allan Clayton in the title role, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly as Gertrude, and baritone Rod Gilfry as Claud

  5. S50 E5

    NY Phil Reopening of David Geffen Hall

    Nov 4, 202283 min

    Celebrate the New York Philharmonic's return to its revitalized home. Under the baton of Music Director Jaap Van Zweden the concert features performances from soloists Joélle Harvey, Kelley O’Connor, Issachah Savage and Davóne Tines. TV-G

  6. S50 E6

    Josh Groban's Great Big Radio City Show

    Nov 25, 2022110 min

    Get a sneak peek at the concert from Radio City, featuring clips from "The Impossible Dream" and "The Fullest." TV-G