<P> Carnegie Hall is named after Andrew Carnegie , who funded its construction . It was intended as a venue for the Oratorio Society of New York and the New York Symphony Society , on whose boards Carnegie served . Construction began in 1890 , and was carried out by Isaac A. Hopper and Company . Although the building was in use from April 1891 , the official opening night was May 5 , with a concert conducted by maestro Walter Damrosch and great Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky . Originally known simply as `` Music Hall '' ( the words `` Music Hall founded by Andrew Carnegie '' still appear on the façade above the marquee ) , the hall was renamed Carnegie Hall in 1893 after board members of the Music Hall Company of New York ( the hall 's original governing body ) persuaded Carnegie to allow the use of his name . Several alterations were made to the building between 1893 and 1896 , including the addition of two towers of artists ' studios , and alterations to the smaller auditorium on the building 's lower level . </P>
<P> Carnegie Hall is named after Andrew Carnegie , who funded its construction . It was intended as a venue for the Oratorio Society of New York and the New York Symphony Society , on whose boards Carnegie served . Construction began in 1890 , and was carried out by Isaac A. Hopper and Company . Although the building was in use from April 1891 , the official opening night was May 5 , with a concert conducted by maestro Walter Damrosch and great Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky . Originally known simply as `` Music Hall '' ( the words `` Music Hall founded by Andrew Carnegie '' still appear on the façade above the marquee ) , the hall was renamed Carnegie Hall in 1893 after board members of the Music Hall Company of New York ( the hall 's original governing body ) persuaded Carnegie to allow the use of his name . Several alterations were made to the building between 1893 and 1896 , including the addition of two towers of artists ' studios , and alterations to the smaller auditorium on the building 's lower level . </P>
who conducted the orchestra at the opening of the carnegie hall in 1891
who conducted the orchestra at the opening of the carnegie hall in 1891
Walter Damrosch
Walter Damrosch