New York City Classical Music

Carnegie Hall, 881 7th Ave. (www.carnegiehall.org), How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice..whew, that's a bad one. In all seriousness, Carnegie Hall is generally considered the be-all and end-all of performance venues. Although it is traditionally a classical venue, jazz, folk, and various cross-cultural music also resounds from the famous stage. Box office open M-Sa 11am-6pm, Su noon-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W. 67th St., between Broadway and Amsterdam (www.merkinconcerthall.org), Merkin Concert Hall is known for being a trailblazer of classical music. Concerts showcase new achievement in both performance and composition. Their most notable events include New Sounds Live and the Tribeca New Music Festival, which features the latest in avant-garde “melodies.” Tickets $20-25. Box office open M-Th noon-7pm and Su noon-7pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has air conditioning.
New York Philharmonic, At Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall (www.lincolncenter.org), One of the premier orchestras in the world, the New York Philharmonic regularly hosts the elite celebrities of classical music, such as Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, and Lang Lang. During the summer, the orchestra performs a special “Summertime Classics” series, presenting a series of popular classical music from all eras. Tickets $31-$112, student rush tickets available Avery Fisher Hall box office open M–Sa 10am–6pm, Su noon–6pm. Also open until 30min. after the start of any performance. Tickets may also be purchased through CenterCharge by calling Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Chamber Music Society, At Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall (www.chambermusicsociety.org), If you know chamber musicians, you know that they don't just play chamber music. They're crazy about chamber music. Well, the Chamber Music Society is analogous to the most hardcore group of chamber musicians you know, but on steroids. They attract bigger audiences than any other chamber music organization in the world. The fantastic Chamber Music 360 deal widens their reach by allowing guests ages 21-39 to enjoy three concerts for $60. Tickets $32-76, student rush tickets 50% off and $10 directly before the show. Alice Tully Hall box office open M–Sa 10am–6pm, Su noon–6pm. Also open until 30min. after the start of any performance. Tickets may also be purchased through CenterCharge by calling Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Great Performers Series, Lincoln Center (www.lincolncenter.org), The Great Performers Series exists for the sole purpose of showcasing the world's most impressive talent in the performance of classical music. Soloists, chamber ensembles, orchestras, you name it—if they're great, they perform in the series. Tickets $35-85. Avery Fisher Hall box office open M–Sa 10am–6pm, Sunday noon–6pm. Also open until 30min. after the start of any performance. Tickets may also be purchased through Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Mostly Mozart, Avery Fisher Hall, other venues at Lincoln Center (www.lincolncenter.org), They said it couldn't be done. They said people would never go to an indoor summer music festival. That was in 1966, when the Mostly Mozart Music Festival began. At that time, concerts exclusively featured the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Now, almost 50 years later, summer at Lincoln Center would be unthinkable without the many styles of dance, music, film, and lectures that make up the festival. Tickets $35-85. Avery Fisher Hall box office open M–Sa 10am–6pm, Su noon–6pm. Also open until 30min. after the start of any performance. Tickets may also be purchased through CenterCharge by calling Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
National Chorale, Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center (www.lincolncenter.org), The National Chorale is one of the country's most prominent classical vocal ensemble. Their most beloved event is the annual Messiah Sing-In in December, which allows audience members to “hallelujah” along with the performers. Tickets $30-$400. Avery Fisher Hall box office open M–Sa 10am–6pm, Su noon–6pm. Also open until 30min. after the start of any performance. Tickets may also be purchased through CenterCharge by calling Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Concerts in the Park, Parks throughout the city (www.newyorkphilharmonic.org), Call some friends, grab some wine, spread out on a blanket, and get ready to be serenaded by one of the world's premier orchestras. Throughout the summer, the New York Philharmonic plays concerts at various parks throughout the city. Be sure to arrive early for a good spot! Tickets free. All concerts at 8pm. Check website for schedule and location. Wheelchair access.