David Geffen Hall

David Geffen Hall stands as the first building completed at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, opening its doors on September 23, 1962. When the New York Philharmonic first moved in, the hall was hailed for its striking modern architecture, featuring tall, tapered travertine columns and expansive glass walls that invited the public to look directly into the lobby. Leonard Bernstein conducted the inaugural performance that night, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the city's classical music scene. Despite the grandeur of its debut, the venue faced immediate and persistent criticism regarding its sound quality, a struggle that would define the building's reputation for decades.