Star-Studded Elegance: Carnegie Hall's Opening Night Gala Celebrates a New Season with Celebrities and Symphonies


The illustrious Carnegie Hall, a symbol of exceptional musical prowess, welcomed the 2023-2024 season with a star-studded Opening Night Gala, graced by the presence of notable personalities such as Patricia Clarkson, Ronan Farrow, Zac Posen, Liev Schreiber, and Elizabeth Segerstrom. The evening was adorned with the melodic brilliance of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), conducted by the esteemed Riccardo Muti, and featured the acclaimed violinist Leonidas Kavakos, who enraptured the audience with a stirring performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. The program also paid homage to Mussorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition, a piece that holds historical significance as it was conducted by Muti during his 1973 CSO podium debut at the Ravinia Festival. Mercedes T. Bass and Hope and Robert F. Smith graciously served as the Gala Lead Chairmen, ensuring the evening was seamlessly orchestrated.

Photos by Jared Siskin for PMC/Getty Images

Post-concert, guests were escorted to a black-tie dinner at the renowned Cipriani 42nd Street, where the evening continued to unfold amidst an ambiance of elegance and camaraderie. Among the esteemed attendees were Harrison Ball, Gina Gershon, Susan Jaffe, Beejan Land, Serena and Shawn Levy, Zoe Lister-Jones, Taylor Neisen, Galina Novikova, Tatiana and Alexei Ratmansky, Deborah Rutter, Sophie Sumner, and Jessica Vosk. The gala not only celebrated the inauguration of the new musical season but also symbolized a gathering of individuals who share a profound appreciation for the arts, encapsulating a night where melody, culture, and social connection harmoniously intertwined.


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