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The Best Episodes of Live from Lincoln Center

Every episode of Live from Lincoln Center ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Live from Lincoln Center!

Since premiering in 1976, the landmark series has sought to democratize the world of the performing arts by making Lincoln Center's historic concerts and events available for public broadcast across the country. And it continues to push the boundaries, both technical and creative, of what is possible in the realm of stage performance capture.

Network:PBS

Top Episode Ratings Summary

The best episode of "Live from Lincoln Center" is "South Pacific", rated 9.2/10 from 82 user votes. It was directed by N/A and written by N/A. "South Pacific" aired on 8/18/2010 and is rated 0.2 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Audra McDonald in Concert: Go Back Home".

  • South Pacific
    9.2/10 82 votes

    #1 - South Pacific

    Season 35 Episode 3 - Aired 8/18/2010

    The Lincoln Center Theater's Tony Award-winning production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific," about love in the South Pacific during WWII. Kelli O'Hara stars as a Navy nurse whose love for a French plantation owner (Paulo Szot) is tested by her own prejudice. Songs include "Some Enchanted Evening," "There Is Nothin' Like a Dame," "A Wonderful Guy" and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair."

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Audra McDonald in Concert: Go Back Home
    9.0/10 8 votes

    #2 - Audra McDonald in Concert: Go Back Home

    Season 38 Episode 6 - Aired 5/24/2013

    No description available

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Richard Tucker Opera Gala: A New Century
    8.8/10 129 votes

    #3 - Richard Tucker Opera Gala: A New Century

    Season 40 Episode 1 - Aired 1/23/2015

    This year’s Richard Tucker Music Foundation’s annual gala concert features performances by opera’s brightest lights and rising stars, including Joseph Calleja, Angela Meade, Željko Lučić, Ildar Abdrazakov, Pretty Yende, as well as the 2014 Richard Tucker Award winner Michael Fabiano in solo and ensemble selections from works by Puccini, Mozart, Bellini, Massenet, Donizetti, Verdi and Bernstein, conducted by Maestro Emmanuel Villaume with the New York Choral Society.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Cynthia Erivo in Concert
    8.8/10 20 votes

    #4 - Cynthia Erivo in Concert

    Season 44 Episode 2 - Aired 5/10/2019

    Enjoy a soulful evening of song from one of Broadway’s brightest stars. Seamlessly making the transition from the stage to the big screen, British-born Cynthia Erivo won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in The Color Purple before starring in several films, including Steve McQueen’s Widows.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • American Songbook - PASSION
    8.7/10 33 votes

    #5 - American Songbook - PASSION

    Season 30 Episode 1 - Aired 3/31/2005

    A concert production of Stephen Sondheim's musical starring Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris, and directed by Lonny Price. Following the performance, Lesley Stahl talks with Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald and Michael Cerveris. Allen Fitzpatrick (Colonel Ricci) Richard Easton (Dr. Tambourri) Alexander Gemignani (Lt. Torasso) Timothy Gulan (Sgt. Lombardi) Devin Richards (Lt. Barri) James Clow (Major Rizzolli) John Sloman (Lt. Augenti) Gina Ferrall (Fosca's Mother) John Cunningham (Fosca's Father) George Dvorsky (Ludovic) Kate Baldwin (Mistress) Trey Compton, Jono Hustis (Male Attendants) Jenn Dottino, Abby Stevens (Female Attendants) Joshua Johnston (Mail Boy)

    Director: Lonny Price

    Writer: Stephen Sondheim, James Lapine

  • Josh Groban: All That Echoes
    8.7/10 8 votes

    #6 - Josh Groban: All That Echoes

    Season 38 Episode 3 - Aired 4/12/2013

    No description available

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
    8.6/10 23 votes

    #7 - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

    Season 41 Episode 3 - Aired 11/4/2016

    The legendary dance company returns to PBS with four works reflecting its spectacular range, diversity and artistry, culminating in a performance of "Revelations," the dance masterpiece created by company founder Alvin Ailey.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • New York Cities Ballet's 'Romeo & Juliet'
    8.5/10 33 votes

    #8 - New York Cities Ballet's 'Romeo & Juliet'

    Season 33 Episode 3 - Aired 5/21/2009

    No description available

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Leslie Odom Jr. in Concert
    8.5/10 306 votes

    #9 - Leslie Odom Jr. in Concert

    Season 43 Episode 2 - Aired 4/27/2018

    Leslie Odom Jr., who won the 2016 Tony for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance as Aaron Burr in "Hamilton," performs.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Stephanie J. Block in Concert
    8.5/10 7 votes

    #10 - Stephanie J. Block in Concert

    Season 43 Episode 3 - Aired 5/4/2018

    Stephanie J. Block, who was featured in Lincoln Center Theater's "Falsettos" as well as in "Wicked" and "The Boy From Oz," performs.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Odyssey Chamber Music Society in Greece
    8.5/10 12 votes

    #11 - Odyssey Chamber Music Society in Greece

    Season 44 Episode 5 - Aired 9/6/2019

    The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center journeys to this remarkable land, performing works embodying the essence of classical music in iconic settings like the ancient theatre of Larissa and the historic Church of the Taxiarchon in Pelion – culminating in a mighty version of Mendelssohn’s Octet.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Megan Hilty in Concert
    8.3/10 8 votes

    #12 - Megan Hilty in Concert

    Season 44 Episode 4 - Aired 5/24/2019

    Megan Hilty, who's starred in "Wicked," "9 to 5: The Musical," "Noises Off" and NBC's "Smash," performs musical-theater favorites and classic standards.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • New York City Ballet George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
    8.2/10 19 votes

    #13 - New York City Ballet George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

    Season 36 Episode 5 - Aired 12/14/2011

    No description available

    Director: Alan Skog

    Writer: Danny Abelson

  • Andrew Rannells in Concert
    8.1/10 15 votes

    #14 - Andrew Rannells in Concert

    Season 43 Episode 4 - Aired 5/11/2018

    Andrew Rannells brings his signature blend of vocal prowess and wry wit to a sparkling set of songs.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve With Renée Fleming
    8.1/10 15 votes

    #15 - New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve With Renée Fleming

    Season 43 Episode 5 - Aired 12/31/2018

    A New Year’s Eve tradition continues with the New York Philharmonic, led by music director Jaap van Zweden, welcoming Renée Fleming for a festive evening of music. From Johann Strauss II to musical pearls from Stephen Sondheim and film composer Alexandre Desplat, Fleming and the Philharmonic conjure the elegance and sparkle of a night at the Ball. Kelli O’Hara hosts.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Annaleigh Ashford in Concert
    8.0/10 9 votes

    #16 - Annaleigh Ashford in Concert

    Season 44 Episode 3 - Aired 5/17/2019

    A new concert from stage and screen star Annaleigh Ashford, who thrilled audiences in Sunday in the Park with George (opposite Jake Gyllenhaal), Kinky Boots, and You Can’t Take It With You, for which she won a Tony Award.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve: Bernstein on Broadway
    7.8/10 7 votes

    #17 - New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve: Bernstein on Broadway

    Season 42 Episode 3 - Aired 12/31/2017

    The New York Philharmonic celebrates the centennial of the late Leonard Bernstein, its fabled Musical Director from 1958 to 1969. Led by Bramwell Tovey, with special guests Annaleigh Ashford, Christopher Jackson, Laura Osnes and Aaron Tveit, this loving tribute promises to become a classical music moment to remember.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • New York Philharmonic: Celebrating Sondheim
    7.2/10 10 votes

    #18 - New York Philharmonic: Celebrating Sondheim

    Season 44 Episode 6 - Aired 12/31/2019

    Ring in the New Year with the New York Philharmonic performing Stephen Sondheim's most beloved works. Featuring Tony Award–winning stage and screen actress / vocalist Katrina Lenk — who will star in the gender-blind Broadway revival of Sondheim’s "Company" in 2020 — in her New York Philharmonic debut. The concert is conducted by Alexander Gemignani, also in his Philharmonic debut; and directed by Lonny Price. Includes selections and suites from "A Little Night Music," "Assassins," "Company," "Into the Woods," "Sunday in the Park with George," and "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Kristin Chenoweth: The Dames of Broadway...All of 'Em!!!
    7.1/10 28 votes

    #19 - Kristin Chenoweth: The Dames of Broadway...All of 'Em!!!

    Season 38 Episode 2 - Aired 3/24/2013

    No description available

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • New York Philharmonic with André Previn and Van Cliburn
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #20 - New York Philharmonic with André Previn and Van Cliburn

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1/30/1976

    Berlioz, "Beatrice and Benedict" Overture; Grieg, Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16; INTERMISSION; R. Strauss, "Ein Heldenleben". Live intermission interview backstage with Previn.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Stephen Sondheim, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #21 - Stephen Sondheim, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

    Season 14 Episode 1 - Aired 11/7/1990

    Performed by the New York City Opera (in 2 acts, book by Hugh Wheeler, orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick). Pretaped interview with Stephen Sondheim; live intermission interviews backstage with Christopher Keene (Artistic Director of New York City Opera), Howes/Resnick. Sally Ann Howes (Désirée Armfeldt) Regina Resnik (Madame Armfeldt) Beverly Lambert (Anne Egerman) Maureen Moore (Countess Malcolm) Susan Terry (Petra) Danielle Ferland (Frederika Armfeldt) George Lee Andrews (Fredrik Egerman) Kevin Anderson (Henrik Egerman) Michael Maguire (Count Malcolm)

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • New York Philharmonic Opening Night Gala With Sir James Galway
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #22 - New York Philharmonic Opening Night Gala With Sir James Galway

    Season 33 Episode 1 - Aired 9/17/2008

    No description available

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve Gala Concert
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #23 - New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve Gala Concert

    Season 33 Episode 2 - Aired 12/31/2008

    No description available

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #24 - The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma

    Season 33 Episode 4 - Aired 6/9/2009

    No description available

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Joshua Bell With Friends @ The Penthouse
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #25 - Joshua Bell With Friends @ The Penthouse

    Season 35 Episode 1 - Aired 1/21/2010

    The Season 35 opener features violinist Joshua Bell teaming with Sting ("Come Again"); Kristin Chenoweth ("My Funny Valentine"); Chris Botti ("I Loves You Porgy"); Nathan Gunn ("O, Cease Thy Singing, Maiden Fair"); Marvin Hamlisch ("I'll Take Manhattan"); Frankie Moreno ("Eleanor Rigby"); Regina Spektor ("Left Hand Song"); and Cuban music group Tiempo Libre ("Para Tí"). Also, thanks to technology, Bell "duets" with Russian pianist Sergey Rachmaninoff on Grieg's Violin Sonata No. 3, Movement II.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A