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