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| The New York State Theater Opened in 1964, the building was designed by Philip Johnson, who also designed the famous fountain in the central plaza. This is the home of the New York City Ballet - one of the world's most celebrated dance companies, dedicated to the creation of new, modern works, and the New York City Opera, which presents 'affordable opera' without elitism. The Lincoln Center Theater The motto of the Lincoln Center Theater has always been "Good Plays, Popular Prices". Its aims are to give opportunities to new talent (playwrights, actors and directors) and to make theater accessible to the whole community not just to the "privileged few". Renowned for experimental, adventurous contemporary drama, since its opening in 1962, there are two auditoria within the theater: the Vivian Beaumont Theater (1,000 seats) which houses large scale productions and the Mitzi E Newhouse (280 seats) which provides an ideal, intimate environment for studio and 'workshop' productions. Avery Fisher Hall Originally known as Philharmonic Hall, this is the musical heart of Lincoln Center. The New York Philharmonic Orchestra (the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States) has been based here since its opening in 1962. Since 1996, the Hall has also been the home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. All types of music are played here, and the venue is favoured by artistes and audiences alike for its outstanding acoustic properties. The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: This is located within The New York Public Library at Lincoln Center and contains a wealth of information on all aspects of the performing arts. It boasts an excellent reference service, free musical recitals and film screenings. |
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Widely
regarded as one of the world's most important arts complexes, the
Lincoln Center occupies 15 acres of New York's Upper West Side. A
'West Side Story' in itself, the Center was built on the site of the
slums that inspired Leonard Bernstein's classic musical. Indeed, Bernstein
was a driving force behind the establishment of the complex, which
comprises: 
The
Metropolitan Opera House The 'new' Metropolitan Opera House at
Lincoln Center opened in September 1966 with the world premiere of
Samuel Barber's Antony and Cleopatra, starring Leontyne Price. Since
then, it has grown into one of the great opera houses of the world
and has seen legendary performances by Maria Callas, Kathleen Battle,
Luciano Pavarotti and Jessye Norman to name but a few. The building
itself is an opulent masterpiece and the lobby features two original
murals by Chagall. 
