The wait is over! The new David Geffen Hall has officially opened its doors, ushering in not just the NY Phil’s 2022–23 concert season, but also a brand-new era for the Orchestra. The new hall — completed two years ahead of schedule and on budget — is the result of an extensive renovation, a collaboration by Lincoln Center and the NY Phil.
Here’s a sampling of what critics are saying about the sights — and, of course, the sounds — of the Orchestra’s totally transformed home following the first week of performances:
“The sound finds you. … It’s as if you’re inside the body of an instrument.”
– Michael Andor Brodeur, The Washington Post
“The sound, like the whole experience of being there, is far more immediate and warm. ... the sound was glistening and lucid. … We hear with our eyes as well as our ears, and simply seeing your fellow audience members sitting above and around the stage makes Geffen sound more human.”
– Zachary Woolfe, The New York Times
“Standing on the stage looking out, I felt the space was invitingly intimate. I felt the same sitting in various seats close and far, high and low. … I’m guardedly optimistic about what has been accomplished. The transformation of the public spaces already seems a triumph. Especially the spacious yet cozy main lobby just off the plaza, which has a 50-foot-wide video screen on the back wall, upon which live performances will be screened for free, so passers-by can get a sense of what’s going on upstairs.”
– Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times
“It feels, in a word, warm. … Stylish, effective, and harmonious.”
– Nicholas Kenyon, The Telegraph
“Not only is there a largely new hall, but the New York Philharmonic is also launching an imaginative programme for the opening season, arguably the most eye-catching of any major international orchestra.”
– Richard Fairman, Financial Times
Don't just take their word for it! Check out our 2022–23 event calendar and stop in to see what all the buzz is about. We can’t wait to see you all season long — and beyond.
All photos by Chris Lee unless otherwise noted
