THE GUIDE

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

The most important cultural center of New York was built between 1959 and 1968 and consists of several halls that can accommodate concerts, ballets and theater performances. The idea of creating this large structure was supported by a group of people on the initiative of John D. Rockefeller III as part of the Lincoln Square renovation project during Robert Moses’ urban renewal program between 1950 and 1960.
It is home to 12 artistic organizations: the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Juilliard School, the Lincoln Center Theater, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the New York City Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, the School of American Ballet and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.

Metropolitan Opera House

Designed by architect Wallace K. Harrison, opened in 1966, has a white travertine facade with five large arches resting on quadrangular pillars. The atrium has two murals by Marc Chagall depicting The Triumph of Music (left wall) and The Sources of Music (right) and the foyer features a large staircase and eleven crystal chandeliers depicting the constellations. With its 3,800 seats it is considered one of the world's largest opera houses, where almost 800,000 people, including singers, conductors, composers, orchestra musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers and dancers, participate in more than 200 shows each year.

David Geffen Hall

Inaugurated in 1962, it was one of the first buildings in the center to be completed becoming the home of the New York Philharmonic, the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States. The auditorium has 2,738 seats and was initially called Philharmonic Hall, then in 1973 it was renamed Avery Fisher Hall and then took its current name in 2015. The hall hosts concerts by leading artists and orchestras from around the world, as well as premieres of movies, ceremonies and lectures.

David H. Koch Theater

Designed by Philip Johnson with 2,586 seats, it was inaugurated on April 23, 1964 as the New York State Theater. It is dedicated to ballet and has been the home of the New York City Ballet since its opening. In July 2008, oil and gas billionaire David H. Koch pledged $100 million for the next ten years to renovate the theater and the theater was named after him.

Alice Tully Hall

This 1,095-seat concert hall, opened on September 11, 1969, is located within the Juilliard School and is the home of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The building was designed by the Italian architect Pietro Belluschi following the architectural style called Brutalism. It is used for concerts, movies, theatre and dance. It was named in honor of Alice Tully, an opera singer and philanthropist from New York, whose donations have contributed to its construction.

Vivian Beaumont Theater

Opened to the public on October 21, 1965 and designed by the well-known architect Eero Saarinen, it has 1,080 seats and its name recalls Vivian Beaumont Allen, a prominent American philanthropist and actor. The Vivian Beaumont differs from traditional Broadway theaters in its stage structure and seating configuration reminiscent of a stadium. Currently the home of the Lincoln Center Theatre.

Other halls

There are also other smaller halls such as the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, originally known as Forum, with 299 seats and then classified as Off-Broadway. The Walter Reade Theater a cinema with 268 seats, the Claire Tow Theater with 131 seats and dedicated to experimental productions and the Clark Studio Theater with 120 seats and dedicated to dance.

Jazz al Lincoln Center

It is located in a separate area, in the Frederick P. Rose Hall complex, within the Time Warner Center of Columbus Circle. It consists of the Appel Room, a 508-seat amphitheater with a 15-meter-high and 23-meter-wide glass wall overlooking Central Park. The Rose Theatre, a 1,094-seat concert hall dedicated to jazz, and the Irene Diamond Education Center, a rehearsal and recording room. Finally, the Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, a place where jazz music is played.

References

Kenneth T. Jackson, Lisa Keller, Nancy Flood. The Encyclopedia of New York City: Second Edition. Yale University Press, 2010. p. 749
Francis Morrone. The Architectural Guidebook to New York City . Gibbs Smith, 2002. pp. 263-266
Venues (Lincoln Center)
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (Wikipedia)