New York - Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Avery Fisher Hall is home to the New York Philharmonic and Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival among other shows. After several modifications since it opened in 1962, the uneven acoustics of the hall have been vastly improved. For a small price, visitors may attend rehearsals on Thursday evenings.

Affectionately known as "a little jewel box" because of its rhinestone lights and chandeliers inside and out. Once known as the New York State Theater, now the David H. Koch Theater, the venue opened in 1964. The theater is located in Lincoln Center and is the home of the New York City Ballet and the New York City Opera. It can hold over 2,500 people. Over the years the New York State Theater has undergone numerous renovations. The foyer features many examples of fine arts.

The Lincoln Center Theater is made up of two main theaters which host eclectic, cutting-edge drama: the 1,000-seat Vivian Beaumont and the 280-seat Mitzi E. Newhouse. The theater has always strived to keep the price of performances low in an attempt to keep it accessible to all.

Interestingly, the Beaumont's 1962 inaugural performance was Arthur Miller's "After The Fall".

The Metropolitan Opera House is home to the Metropolitan Opera Company and the American Ballet Theater. "The Met" is the most spectacular building in the Lincoln complex. Outside are five great arched windows. Inside are murals by Marc Chagall, white marble stairs and crystal chandeliers. Opening nights of performances by the likes of Pavarotti and Maria Callas are celebrity, star-studded affairs. Next to the Met is the Guggenheim Bandshell which offers opera and jazz concerts.

Visitors who don't have the time or inclination to see a show can take a tour of the Met for a backstage look at the production side of the company.

The New York City Opera is the city's prestigious opera company. Leonard Bernstein and Beverly Sills are among the greats who have performed for The New York City Opera. It is still regarded as the place to see some of the best emerging talent. The season program always does a good job of offering both classic and new productions.

The Opera has traditionally preformed at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts but in 2011 / 2012 moved from this location. It is now performing at various venues throughout the city.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is huddled between the Metropolitan Opera House and the Beaumont Theater. The library holds an extensive arts related materials that include historic recordings and clips, audio and videotapes, sheet music, stage designs, posters and photographs. Visitors can see exhibits which include original scores and playbills as well as cylinders of early Met performances.