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The Best Episodes of Great Performances

PBS

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...

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  1. 9.3/10(20 votes)

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

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    S34:E15

    A concert version of the popular radio program.

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  2. 9.2/10(93 votes)

    #2 - Episode 2

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    S15:E2

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  3. 9.2/10(30 votes)

    #3 - Episode 10

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    S23:E10

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  4. 9.2/10(14 votes)

    #4 - Episode 3

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    S34:E3

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  5. 9.1/10(72 votes)

    #5 - Episode 12

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    S23:E12

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  6. 9.1/10(53 votes)

    #6 - Episode 11

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    S26:E11

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Great Performances

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  7. 9.1/10(18 votes)

    #7 - Episode 6

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    S33:E6

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  8. 9.1/10(19 votes)

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

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    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.

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  9. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - Episode 2

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    S18:E2

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  10. 9.0/10(112 votes)

    #10 - Episode 4

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    S18:E4

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  11. 9.0/10(20 votes)

    #11 - Episode 7

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    S26:E7

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  12. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - Episode 7

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    S29:E7

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  13. 9.0/10(100 votes)

    #13 - Episode 5

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    S30:E5

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  14. 9.0/10(79 votes)

    #14 - Episode 5

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    S33:E5

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  15. 8.9/10(25 votes)

    #15 - Episode 8

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  16. 8.9/10(43 votes)

    #16 - Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden

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    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.

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  17. 8.9/10(34 votes)

    #17 - Sondheim! The Birthday Concert

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    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.

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  18. 8.8/10(26 votes)

    #18 - Episode 4

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  19. 8.8/10(24 votes)

    #19 - Episode 2

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  20. 8.8/10(37 votes)

    #20 - Episode 2

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  21. 8.8/10(12 votes)

    #21 - From Shtetl to Swing

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    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.

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  22. 8.8/10(15 votes)

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

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    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.

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  23. 8.8/10(90 votes)

    #23 - Great Performances at the Met: The Enchanted Island

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    S39:E17

    The Enchanted Island is a world premiere work that combines Baroque music with a new, English-language libretto featuring characters from Shakespeare, and a starry cast including Danielle de Niese, Joyce DiDonato, David Daniels, Plácido Domingo, and Luca Pisaroni.

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  24. 8.8/10(118 votes)

    #24 - Ann

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    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.

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  25. 8.8/10(13 votes)

    #25 - From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2022

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    S49:E15

    Ring in the new year in Austria at the Musikverein with the Vienna Philharmonic and host Hugh Bonneville in this annual concert of waltzes by Strauss and more under the baton of guest conductor Daniel Barenboim.

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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 20 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 7/2/2006. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Episode 2".