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