Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 2 p.m. on KPBS 2 / Stream now with KPBS Passport!
In 2018, young Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin stepped into one of the most high-profile roles in all of music: Music director of the Metropolitan Opera. GREAT PERFORMANCES “Yannick – An Artist’s Journey” follows Nézet-Séguin on his journey from 10-year-old budding conductor to the pinnacle of the opera world, capturing the creative process and what it means to refine the soul of an artist. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Susan Froemke (GREAT PERFORMANCES “The Opera House”), the cinema verité documentary explores the conductor’s roots through interviews with family members, early influences and colleagues, paired with home movies.
Behind-the-scenes footage shows the maestro in rehearsal with Met Opera soprano Diana Damrau (“La Traviata”) and in coaching sessions with young artists like Gabriela Reyes. From the Orchestre Métropolitain of Montreal to the Met in New York City to The City of Brotherly Love with Philadelphia Orchestra, which Nézet-Séguin also directs. GREAT PERFORMANCES follow this energetic artist as he delves ever more deeply into music and the artistic collaborations that sustain him.
Notable Talent:
- Yannick Nézet-Séguin
- Diana Damrau, soprano
- Gabriela Reyes, soprano
- Erin Morley, soprano
- Matthew Aucoin, composer
- Philadelphia Orchestra
- Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
- Metropolitan Opera Chorus
Noteworthy Facts:
- Yannick Nézet-Séguin is the third music director in the history of the Metropolitan Opera.
- As music director of the Met Opera, he has conducted four recent episodes of GREAT PERFORMANCES AT THE MET and also appeared in GREAT PERFORMANCES "Beethoven in Beijing."
- Having developed a fascination with religion and art at a very young age, Nézet-Séguin decided that he was destined to become Pope before deciding to become a conductor and devote his life to music.
- The documentary is bookended by scenes capturing the final weeks of the Met’s 2018–19 season as Nézet-Séguin leads his cast in a performance of Poulenc’s “Dialogues des Carmélites” into which he incorporates his own religious connections and encourages the artists to follow suit.
Watch On Your Schedule:
"Yannick - An Artist's Journey" is available for streaming on demand with KPBS Passport, a benefit for members supporting KPBS at $60 or more yearly, using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast. Learn how to activate your benefit now.
Join The Conversation:
GREAT PERFORMANCES is on Facebook, @GPerfPBS on Twitter #GreatPerformancesPBS
Yannick Nezet-Seguin is on Facebook
Credits:
Directed by Susan Froemke and produced by Froemke and Peter Gelb. Mia Bongiovanni and Alexandra Eastman are executive producers.
