The Carnegie Hall was designed by the well-known architect William Burnet Tuthill and built by famous philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1891. Since the opening night (conducted by famous Tchaikovsky!) Carnegie Hall has been one of the most prestigious venues for both classical music and popular music. It is also famous for its incredible acoustics, which is claimed to be one of the best in the world.
Many legendary jazz and popular music performers have given memorable performances at Carnegie Hall including Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, Keith Jarrett, Judy Garland, Charles Aznavour, Simon and Garfunkel, Paul Robeson, Nina Simone, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, all of whom made celebrated live recordings of their concerts there.
The Hall has also been the site of many famous lectures, including the Tuskegee Institute Silver Anniversary Lecture by Booker T. Washington, and the last public lecture by Mark Twain, both in 1906.
While the best way to enjoy the Hall is to see a performance, another great way to learn about it is to go on a guided tour. The tour offers a comprehensive look at the hall, insight into the construction, and discusses some of the artists who have taken to the stage. Tours end at the Rose Museum. Guided tours of Carnegie Hall are offered from September through July, as the Hall’s schedule permits.