New York City Attraction: The Great Carnegie Hall

If you are a classical musician, opera singer, jazzevident as you'll see that the Main Hall is now called
performer, or pop group, you may have grown upthe Isaac Stern Auditorium. Believe it or not, Carnegie
dreaming of one day performing at the world famousHall was slated for demolition in 1960, but due to the
Carnegie Hall. For over a hundred years, Carnegie Hallefforts of Stern, it was saved and eventually
has been a status symbol of the highest echelons ofpurchased by the City of New York for $5 million.
musical taste and appreciation.The other two halls are much smaller and suitable for
Carnegie Hall bears the name of Andrew Carnegie,more intimate performances. Zankel Hall seats 599
who originally had it built to house the Oratorio Societyand the newer Weil Hall seats 268. You can also visit
of New York and the New York Symphony Society.the Rose Museum, which houses the Carnegie
Carnegie, who was famous for his philanthropy,Archives, artifacts and memorabilia of the buildings
served on the boards of both organizations. The greathistory and performances.
hall opened its doors on May 5, 1891 and featured theWhen you reach the great hall, located at Seventh
famous composer Peter Tchaikovsky conducting hisAvenue and West 57th Street, you'll immediately
musical works.admire its Italian Renaissance style architecture. The
Quite a prestigious beginning for a music hall. Over thehall was even designed by a musician, an amateur
years, many famous performers have appeared atcellist named William Tuthill.
Carnegie Hall, such as Duke Ellington, Judy Garland,Just a short walk around the corner is the Steinway
Frank Sinatra, Yo-Yo Ma and yes, even the Beatles!Building, which displays some beautifully crafted
Carnegie Hall houses three concert halls and aSteinway pianos, the same type of pianos that are
museum. The Main Hall seats 2,804 people and is fiveoften used by Carnegie Hall performers.
levels. If you don't want to walk up 100+ stairs, you canThere are over 100 performances a season held at
always take the elevator. This is where all the bigCarnegie Hall. If you have your heart set on attending
concerts are held. The acoustics are marvelous. Thea concert there, be aware that you'll need to buy your
late classical violinist, Isaac Stern, once said about thetickets way in advance, because they tend to sell out
acoustics "It takes what you do and makes it largerquickly. If you are lucky enough to attend an event at
than life."Carnegie, you'll enjoy some of the world's finest
The love that Isaac Stern had for Carnegie Hall ismusical performances while admiring its splendor.