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| Classical Music & Dance |
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Major
Concert Halls |
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Lincoln Center for the Performing
Arts |
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There are 12 resident performing arts companies in the
sprawling campus of what was once the neighborhood of West Side
Story. The still modern-looking concert halls, theaters
and outdoor plazas built in the 1960s are host to a remarkable diversity
of year-round cultural events. With an annual budget of 50+ million dollars,
a staff of 2000 employees, it's own police force, transportation system and
communications network, Lincoln Center is a practically a city within New York.
Visitors can take backstage tours, attend performance rehearsals and shop
and dine. And then there is the Lincoln Center neighborhood.
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Tour Information: 212 875-5350
Web: www.lincolncenter.org See also: www.lct.org/links.html |
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Metropolitan Opera House |
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 Concert goers dress up - often in black.
That contrasts with the ocean of plush red velvet seats,
gold ceilings and crystal chandeliers. Translations of the opera
librettos appear on miniature LCD screens on the back of every seat.
Champagne at intermission, a major restaurant on the mezzanine and
a grand staircase can make for an elegant evening. |
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Metropolitan Opera - Perhaps the world's most important
opera company. It mounts lavish productions that remain in the repertory
for many years and counts the most well-known singers among its
past and present performers. (Season Sept - April).
Web: http://www.metopera.org
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American Ballet Theater - This is not one of Lincoln
Center's resident companies but its long-time June-July visits to
the Met Opera House make it seem as though the company is part of
the Lincoln Center Family. The ABT presents classical choreography
of the 19th Century with narrative dramas that emphasize the virtuosity
and artistry of star dancers and ballerinas. (Season: June - July; Fall at The City Center.
Web: www.abt.org
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New York State Theater |
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Phillip Johnson designed this hall as a
place for viewing dance more than hearing music. Nick-named "the Jewel
Box", the State Theater is wider than it is long. This keeps the audience
closer to the stage. Its walls are covered in undulating dark red
velvet. The orchestra rows, which have no center aisle across more
than 40 seats are comfortably spaced. |
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New York City Opera - (Seasons: Fall: September
- November; Spring 2002: March - April) The company, founded
in 1944 features American singers and innovative productions outside
the classical operatic repertoire or style. Nevertheless, Mozart,
Verdi et al are amply represented in each season's schedule. The singers
are at earlier stages of their careers and the productions somewhat
less elaborate (no elephants) than those of the "Met". Web: www.nycopera.com
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New York City Ballet - Founded in the 1930s by George Balanchine to
give dance an American character. Performances often feature the entire
ballet corp rather than star dancers. The choreography is sharp-edged,
precise and often humorous. Productions sometimes use few sets and
are set to music that was not originally intended for dance.
The City Ballet, under Jerome Robbins added many theatrical pieces
to its repertoire, and continues to be receive high reviews for inventiveness.
Web: www.nycballet.com
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Avery Fisher Hall |
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 An elegant concert hall from where Live
from Lincoln Center events are televised. Viewers of those programs
will recognize the festive balcony lights and the swaths of wood paneling
across the large stage. The concert hall is surrounded by glass on
three sides, has a balcony overlooking the Promenade and immense mobile
sculptures that dangle rhythmically from the ceiling. All together,
they make intermissions an exciting part of the evening. |
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New York Philharmonic Orchestra -The oldest orchestra in the
United States (founded in 1842) and one of the busiest. It regularly
commissions new works and offers innovative programming formats. Interested
visitors can attend rehearsals and occasional pre-concert lectures.
Web: www.nyphilharmonic.org
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Alice Tully Hall |
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 The smallest of Lincoln Center's concert halls with excellent
acoustics, spacious seating and performances by diverse
soloists and small ensembles.
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center - It has become one of the most
important Chanber Music groups
in the country. Chamber Music is called "musicians' music" and
serious music-lovers are drawn to the intense experience of small
ensemble music making.
Web: www.chambermusicsociety.org
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Carnegie Hall |
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The world famous concert hall was built in 1891
and Peter Tchaikowsky conducted the first concert. Though completely
renovated in 1991, the hall still has a 19th Century feel that, along with
its famous acoustics, is a strong appeal - for performers and audiences.
From September through May, there are atleast twenty concerts per month
by the greatest orchestras, piano soloists, singers and chamber
musicians from all over the world. Web: www.carnegiehall.org
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Merkin Conter Hall at The Kaufman Center |
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Serious music in a serious music neighborhood. A short stroll up
Broadway from Lincoln Center finds this acoustically-prized hall
that hosts avant-guard performances by local and visiting
musicians. Don't be surprised if you recognize someone sitting next to you. This
is the place professionals come to sharpen their ears. A busy in-season calendar
features collaborations with dancers and actors. Most events are reasonably priced.
Web:
www.Kayfman-Center.org
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The City Center |
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Situated, appropriately for its name, in midtown, two blocks south of Carnegie Hall. The City Center presents an eclectic mix of theater, concerts, special events. It is most frequently, the venue for dance companies such as Alvin Ailey® American Dance Theater, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and American Ballet Theatre. It has an unusual Moorish facade and steep balconies.. Web: www.CityCenter.org
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Kaufman Concert Hall at The 92nd Street
YMHA |
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Located in a residential neighborhood (the Upper East Side),
the "Y" hosts famous singers, recitalists and chamber musicians in a beautiful
wood-paneled concert hall. The audience dresses more casually than
for Lincoln Center events and musicians are known to "hang out" at after-concert
receptions. Web: www.92y.org
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Joyce Theater |
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Web: www.Joyce.org
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Brooklyn Academy of Music |
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A kind of Lincoln Center outside of Manhattan, featuring avant-garde
music, dance and theater. Though BAM is located in a downtown commercial
neighbood that is quiet at night, it attracts many serious arts lovers from
Manhattan as well as world class musicians. Web: www.bam.org
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Lincoln Center Festival |
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(Season: Last three weeks in July) - Lincoln Center
gathers some of the most unusual performing arts companies from around
the world and presents them in the alternative theaters and concerts
halls located in the Lincoln Center neighborhood. Previous programs
have included a Chinese theatrical company, a French circus and dancers
from Africa. Web: www.LincolnCenter.org
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New York Philharmonic Park Concerts |
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(Season: Mid July) The orchestra visits
a large park in each of New York City boros and presents offers two hours
of (usually) favorite repertoire in the open air. Well-known soloists appear at each
concert. People who can take off from work stake-out good patches
of grass early in the day and sometimes bring elaborate picnics, complete
with wine and candles. Still, there is room for everyone. Web: www.nyphilharmonic.org
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Mostly Mozart Festival |
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(Season: End July through End August) - 4-weeks
of music-making by members of resident ensembles in the city
as well as famous and not-so-famous soloists from around the world.
The concerts take place in Avery Fisher Hall and are sometimes preceded
by short recitals by the performers or by informal discussions. Musicians
dress in white jackets making the festival feel refreshing in New
York's Summer heat. Web: www.LincolnCenter.org
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New York City Ballet - Saratoga
Springs, NY |
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(Last Season 2004: Mid July) - Located five hours
north of New York City in the foothills of the Adirondack mountains,
Saratoga was the scene of Revolutionay War battles and Saratoga
Springs was once a famous Spa area. The New York City Ballet has
been performing each Summer for several years. Interesting stop for
groups travelling between New York and Canada. Web: www.nycballet.com
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Caramoor International Music Festival
- Katonah, NY |
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(Summer season: end June through end October) - Located on the
grounds of an estate in northern Westchester County, about
40 miles north of the City. Concerts of chamber and orchestral music
take place under a large tent. Visitors often arrive early in the afternoon
to make elaborate picnics and enjoy the gardens and the museum. Indoor concerts
throughtou the year. Web: www.caramoor.org
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Planting Fields Arboretum - Locust
Valley, Long Island, NY |
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Summer Beethoven Festival July
Note: There are also Jazz and pop music concerts during the summer.Web: www.plantingfields.com
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