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The Best Episodes of Great Performances

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Every episode of Great Performances ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Great Performances!

The Best Episodes of Great Performances

The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical...
  1. Background image for Garrison Keillor’s Independence Day Special: A Prairie Home Companion at Tanglewood
    9.3/10(19 votes)

    #1 - Garrison Keillor’s Independence Day Special: A Prairie Home Companion at Tanglewood

    S34:E15

    A concert version of the popular radio program.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  2. Background image for Episode 2
    9.2/10(92 votes)

    #2 - Episode 2

    S15:E2

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  3. Background image for Episode 10
    9.2/10(30 votes)

    #3 - Episode 10

    S23:E10

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  4. Background image for Episode 3
    9.2/10(13 votes)

    #4 - Episode 3

    S34:E3

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  5. Background image for Episode 12
    9.1/10(71 votes)

    #5 - Episode 12

    S23:E12

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  6. Background image for We Love Ella: A Tribute to the First Lady of Song
    9.1/10(18 votes)

    #6 - We Love Ella: A Tribute to the First Lady of Song

    S35:E22

    April 25, 2007, would have been Ella Fitzgerald's 90th birthday. To celebrate, Great Performances has created an all-star tribute to the great jazz singer.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Great Performances

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  8. Background image for Episode 2
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #7 - Episode 2

    S18:E2

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  9. Background image for Episode 4
    9.0/10(112 votes)

    #8 - Episode 4

    S18:E4

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  10. Background image for Episode 8
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #9 - Episode 8

    S26:E8

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  11. Background image for Episode 7
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - Episode 7

    S29:E7

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  12. Background image for Episode 5
    9.0/10(99 votes)

    #11 - Episode 5

    S30:E5

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  13. Background image for Next to Normal
    9.0/10(200 votes)

    #12 - Next to Normal

    S52:E15

    Experience this Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical directed by Michael Longhurst from London's Donmar Warehouse. Grammy nominee Caissie Levy stars in the story of a suburban family struggling with the effects of mental illness.

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  14. Background image for Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden
    8.9/10(42 votes)

    #13 - Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden

    S37:E3

    Multi-Grammy-winning phenomenon Michael Bublé returns to public television in Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden, a musical concert that captures the star in a trademark, high-octane performance. Recorded at New York City’s famed arena, this program’s highlights include a show-stopping collection of Bublé’s hits not included on the DVD release.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  15. Background image for Sondheim! The Birthday Concert
    8.9/10(33 votes)

    #14 - Sondheim! The Birthday Concert

    S38:E2

    Performed on Sondheim's 80th birthday in March 2010, Great Performances presents the New York Philharmonic's salute to a true Broadway legend on November 24. Hosted by David Hyde Pierce, gathering to celebrate are acclaimed Sondheim alumni as Laura Benanti, Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Joanna Gleason, Nathan Gunn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Bernadette Peters, and many more.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  16. Background image for Episode 4
    8.8/10(25 votes)

    #15 - Episode 4

    S10:E4

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  17. Background image for Episode 2
    8.8/10(36 votes)

    #16 - Episode 2

    S30:E2

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  18. Background image for From Shtetl to Swing
    8.8/10(11 votes)

    #17 - From Shtetl to Swing

    S34:E1

    A collective journey from synagogue choirs to Harlem hot spots, from Yiddish theater to musical extravaganza, from klezmer to ragtime, from symphonic jazz to swing. All the way from the Bowery to Tin Pan Alley to Broadway to Hollywood - FROM SHTETL TO SWING recounts the ebullient story of a musical metamorphosis born in darkest Russia.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  19. Background image for Celebracion! Dudamel, Florez, and the L.A. Philharmonic
    8.8/10(14 votes)

    #18 - Celebracion! Dudamel, Florez, and the L.A. Philharmonic

    S38:E3

    The October 7 opening night concert of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Music Director Gustavo Dudamel featuring renowned Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Actress Eva Mendes hosts the broadcast.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  20. Background image for Ann
    8.8/10(118 votes)

    #19 - Ann

    S47:E24

    Enjoy a powerful and revealing look at legendary, larger-than-life Texas governor Ann Richards who enriched the lives of her followers, friends and family in this critically acclaimed play written by and starring Emmy Award-winner Holland Taylor.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  21. Background image for Audra McDonald at the London Palladium
    8.8/10(21 votes)

    #20 - Audra McDonald at the London Palladium

    S51:E20

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  22. Background image for Episode 2
    8.7/10(121 votes)

    #21 - Episode 2

    S34:E2

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  23. Background image for Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic
    8.7/10(19 votes)

    #22 - Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic

    S37:E1

    Considered the most dynamic young conductor in classical music since Bernstein, 28-year-old Gustavo Dudamel begins his tenure as Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in fall 2009. In this program, learn more about Dudamel, the LA Philharmonic, composer John Adams, and see a movement from John Adams' "City Noir" and Mahler's "Symphony No. 1 in D major" performed at his inaugural concert.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  24. Background image for Great Performances at the Met: La Fanciulla del West
    8.7/10(7 votes)

    #23 - Great Performances at the Met: La Fanciulla del West

    S46:E17

    Watch Puccini’s blazing love story set in the Wild West, based on David Belasco’s play “The Girl of the Golden West,” starring Eva-Maria Westbroek and Jonas Kaufmann. Marco Armiliato conducts.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  25. Background image for Episode 7
    8.6/10(186 votes)

    #24 - Episode 7

    S23:E7

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  26. Background image for Episode 4
    8.6/10(79 votes)

    #25 - Episode 4

    S34:E4

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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Best Episodes Summary

"Garrison Keillor’s Independence Day Special: A Prairie Home Companion at Tanglewood" is the best rated episode of "Great Performances". It scored 9.3/10 based on 19 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 7/2/2006. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Episode 2".