This documentary recounts the story of the African American Missouri native who became the toast of the 1960s international opera scene. Her fairytale rise began in the 1950s era of racism when she was prevented from studying at the St. Louis Institute of Music, despite having won a radio competition at the age of 17. She first achieved international renown with her breakthrough performance in "Tannhäuser" at the 1961 Bayreuth Festival where she received 40 ecstatic curtain calls, leading up to her celebrated performance in the 1966 production of "Carmen" directed by legendary German conductor Herbert von Karajan.

Continuing GREAT PERFORMANCES' partnership with The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park, this new production of Shakespeare's audience favorite follows the romantic misadventures of shipwrecked twins, starring Peter Dinklage, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lupita Nyong'o, Sandra Oh, and Daphne Rubin-Vega. The production is recorded from Central Park's newly renovated Delacorte Theater and is directed by Tony Award nominee Saheem Ali.