America's great concert halls: many stages are practically destinations in themselves - Directory

Travel America, Jan-Feb, 2004 by Alice Ross

The first time I saw Frank Sinatra in person was also the first time I attended New York's Carnegie Hall. Making my way to my seat among hundreds of other fans in the place that had hosted so many of the world's greatest talents, I felt as though I was on some sort of pilgrimage. In a way I was; excited at the thought of seeing "Old Blue Eyes," I was equally thrilled to be in the world-famous house of music.

I recalled that evening while attending a concert in Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Revered among country fans who call it the "Mother Church of Country Music," Ryman instilled in me the same sense of soul-stirring I'd experienced at Carnegie. I realized then that just like the artists who perform on their stages, many concert halls possess a certain "star quality."

Some are renowned for their history, grandeur, or uniqueness. Others are sentimental favorites that began as something else and reinvented themselves. But whether they're old and nostalgic or new and dynamic, whether they present classical, country, pop, or rock, many concert halls are more than just places to enjoy music.

The Sounds of Music

A musical nation, America abounds with top-notch concert facilities. Here are a few that hit the high notes:

CALIFORNIA

The United Nations charter was signed in 1945 on the stage of Herbst Theatre in the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, now the hub of cultural activity in the city. Classical groups present recitals in Herbst Theatre; the elegant Opera House, home to the San Francisco Opera, rivals Old World theaters; in the sleek and stunning Davies Symphony Hall, the San Francisco Symphony boasts a year-round schedule that includes everything from Beethoven to pops, top soloists, and renowned guest conductors, (415) 621-6600; www.sfwmpac.org.

FLORIDA

Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater has undergone expansion and renovation guaranteed to make its 20th anniversary season especially exciting. New sound and lighting systems enhance the enjoyment in the acoustically perfect theater, which will feature upcoming performances by Engelbert Humperdinck, Itzhak Perlman, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, and more. (727) 791-7400; www.rutheckerdhall.com.

GEORGIA

Athens calls itself the "best seat in the South" with good reason: the University of Georgia Athens Performing Arts Center thrills audiences with outstanding lineups in its acclaimed Hodgson Hall (888-289-8497; www.uga.edu/~pac/tour.html). Some upcoming performances include the Vienna Boys Choir, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and pianist Andre Watts. Athens' Classic Center Theatre (706-357-4444; www.classiccenter.com) presents the Athens Symphony and a wide variety of musical artists. Musical performances can also be enjoyed in the charming restored Morton Theatre (706-613-3770; www.mortontheatre.com), a 1910 vaudeville house, one of the first built, owned, and operated by African-Americans.

MISSOURI

Powell Symphony Hall, with a lobby patterned after the chapel at Versailles, is the elegant home to the world renowned St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the second oldest symphony in the U.S. (314) 533-2500; www.saintlouissymphony.org.

The city's beautifully restored Fox Theatre, a grand old movie palace with ornate architecture, has hosted such entertainers as Bruce Springsteen and Tony Bennett, and presents the best in Broadway. (314) 534-1678; www.fabulousfox.com.

Sheldon Concert Hall, described as simple, elegant, and acoustically perfect, offers jazz, folk, and classical music. (314) 533-9900; www.sheldonconcerthall.com.

NEW YORK

Carnegie Hall, the yardstick by which all others are measured, opened on May 5, 1891, with the premiere American performance of Russian composer and conductor Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The renowned house of music with outstanding acoustics continues to host the world's greatest musicians and artists. (212) 247-7600; www.carnegiehall.org.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a 16-acre complex that counts among its residents the Metropolitan Opera Company and the New York Philharmonic. Since the 1962 gala opening night concert by Leonard Bernstein, Avery Fisher Hall (originally Philharmonic Hall) has hosted some of the world's most respected musicians. In addition to housing the oldest orchestra in the U.S., Avery Fisher Hall also hosts the Mostly Mozart and Great Performers series. Alice Tully Hall presentations include the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and Jazz at Lincoln Center concerts. Even the center's outdoor plaza becomes a concert arena in summer with its Midsummer Night Swing series. (212) LINCOLN; www.lincolncenter.org.

OREGON

The largest symphony west of the Mississippi--the Oregon Symphony--calls home a beautifully restored vaudeville house in Portland, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Adorned with crystal chandeliers, marble walls, and original goldleaf, the "Schnitz" hosts a diverse array of performers including Itzhak Perlman, Manhattan Transfer, Kathleen Battle, and the gifted musicians of the Portland Youth Philharmonic. To make concerts as pleasant as possible for audiences, the house provides cough suppressant drops. (503) 248-4335; www.pcpa.com/events/asch.php.>