Carnegie Hall celebrated the 50th anniversary of its “Concert of the Century” with a once-in-a-lifetime convening of musical all-stars on Tuesday, May 5th. Organized by famed violinist Isaac Stern, the original 1976 event brought together some of the world’s greatest musicians for a now-legendary “concert-celebration” that commemorated the anniversary of the Hall’s opening on May 5, 1891.
Fifty years later—and 135 years after the opening of the Hall—a new lineup of Carnegie Hall icons came together to honor the Hall’s legacy, telling its story to a new generation.
Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin led the NYO-USA All-Stars, an ensemble of distinguished alumni from Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America, who are now outstanding young professionals in the music field.
Elizabeth Segerstrom was the Gala Lead Chair for the black-tie evening. Robert F. Smith, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Carnegie Hall, shared “Elizabeth Segerstrom has been a dedicated supporter, champion, and friend of Carnegie Hall for almost two decades. We were so fortunate and grateful to have her lead this event tonight to carry on her late husband Henry’s legacy for our Hall. What we experience at Carnegie Hall—what so many have experienced here over the years—is the depth of expression, the connection to history, the nuance, the storytelling. It is not simply a feat of the technical; it is the triumph of the human spirit. The connection we feel in this hall reminds us of the importance of sharing moments that renew and inspire us. Through art, we develop a deeper understanding of our place in the universe and what it truly means to be human. That is the power of this institution, and that is why the support in this room matters so profoundly for generations to come.”
Gala Chairs included Anya Gillinson, Ila and Dinesh Paliwal, and Hope and Robert F. Smith. Gala Co-Chairs were Marco Argenti and Nanyan Li, Mercedes T. Bass, Sandra Segerstrom Daniels, and Joan and Sanford I. Weill, Weill Family Foundation. South Coast Plaza was the Gala Sponsor.
The dinner celebrated Executive and Artistic Director Clive Gillinson’s twenty years of visionary leadership at Carnegie Hall. Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera, said “What is extraordinary is that Clive is, at his core, a musician, and leads with the heart of a musician. That is what makes such an incredible difference at Carnegie Hall—not just in New York, but far beyond. In a world that often feels uncertain, Carnegie Hall stands as a beacon—of openness, of creativity, of diversity, of freedom of expression. And that is not by accident. It is the result of vision, of leadership, and of a deep belief in what music can do for people.”
The gala raised $3.5 million in support of Carnegie Hall’s artistic, education and social impact programs.
