Editing Carnegie Hall (section)

=== Late 19th to mid-20th century ===
==== 1890s to 1910s ====
[[File:Carnegie Hall in 1895.jpg|thumb|Carnegie Hall in 1895]]
Almost from the outset, [[Ticket resale|scalpers]] resold tickets to the Music Hall's shows at greatly inflated prices, and ushers began selling off tickets to unoccupied seats at the start of each concert. For an inflated fee, the ushers allowed latecomers to sit down during the middle of a show, to the consternation of existing ticket holders.<ref name="TL p. 145" /> In May 1892, the stockholders of the Music Hall Company of New York discussed expanding the Music Hall into the site of a brewery at Seventh Avenue and 56th Street, which they had purchased about three months previously. The Music Hall Company also discussed enlarging the main auditorium's stage so it could accommodate operas.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 12, 1892|title=Changes at the Music Hall: Plans Which May Change the Place Into an Opera House|page=7|newspaper=New-York Tribune|id={{ProQuest|573781812}}}}</ref> 

By September 1892, the Music Hall's stockholders planned to enlarge the hall to accommodate operatic performances, following a fire that severely damaged the Metropolitan Opera House.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 5, 1892|title=A Home for Grand Opera; Plans for Transforming Music Hall Into an Opera House|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1892/09/05/archives/a-home-for-grand-opera-plans-for-transforming-music-hall-into-an.html|access-date=August 20, 2021|archive-date=August 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820013952/https://www.nytimes.com/1892/09/05/archives/a-home-for-grand-opera-plans-for-transforming-music-hall-into-an.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="n110352614">{{Cite news |date=September 6, 1892 |title=Grand Opera Need Not Be Given Up |page=7|newspaper=The Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110352614/grand-opera-need-not-be-given-up/ |access-date=September 28, 2022}}</ref> At the time, Morris Reno said the stage could not be modified until at least early 1893.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 19, 1892|title=No Grand Opera This Season.; the Carnegie Music Hall Stage Cannot Be Rebuilt for It|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1892/09/19/archives/no-grand-opera-this-season-the-carnegie-music-hall-stage-cannot-be.html|access-date=August 20, 2021|archive-date=August 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820013953/https://www.nytimes.com/1892/09/19/archives/no-grand-opera-this-season-the-carnegie-music-hall-stage-cannot-be.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Music Hall Company filed plans for alterations in December 1892. The plans called a tower of about {{Convert|240|ft}} at the corner of Seventh Avenue and 56th Street. In addition, the original building's mansard roof would become a flat roof, and the seventh story would be converted into a full story.<ref name="p573728011" /><ref name="nyt18921228" /> The Philharmonic Society moved into the Music Hall in November 1892, drawing further crowds.<ref name="Page p. 19" /> The studios atop the building were constructed shortly afterward, from 1894 to 1896.<ref name="Page p. 19" /> 

The American Academy of Dramatic Arts moved into the basement recital hall in 1896, leasing the basement recital hall for the next fifty-four years.<ref name="nyt19980103" /> Also during the mid-1890s, the Music Hall was renamed Carnegie Hall for its main benefactor.<ref name="NPS p. 3" /><ref name="Page p. 17" /> According to Carnegie Hall archivist Gino Francesconi, the renaming occurred "so that it shouldn't be confused by European artists with a vulgar music hall".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shepard|first=Richard F.|date=May 12, 1988|title=Carnegie Hall Marks a Milestone for a Cornerstone|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/12/arts/carnegie-hall-marks-a-milestone-for-a-cornerstone.html|access-date=August 18, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818224625/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/12/arts/carnegie-hall-marks-a-milestone-for-a-cornerstone.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During the early 20th century, Carnegie Hall accommodated many recitals and concerts because of its acoustic qualities.<ref name="Page pp. 19-20">{{harvnb|Page|2011|pp=19–20|ps=.}}</ref>

==== 1920s to 1940s ====
[[File:Carnegiehall 1910.jpg|thumb|Carnegie Hall in 1910]]
Carnegie Hall officials renovated the building in 1920, replacing its [[porte-cochère]], overhauling the Philharmonic Society's office, and removing staircases for about $70,000.<ref name="nyt-1920-07-04">{{Cite news |date=July 4, 1920 |title=Change in Carnegie Hall; Substantial Steps to Provide New York's Temple of Music with a New Stoop Line|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1920/07/04/archives/change-in-carnegie-hall-substantial-steps-to-providle-new-yorks.html |access-date=September 28, 2022}}</ref> By late 1924, the Carnegie Foundation was considering selling the hall to a private developer because of increasing financial deficits, which amounted to $15,000 a year.<ref name="The New York Times">{{Cite news |date=January 31, 1925 |title=Musical Centre is Likely to Shift; Approaching Sale of Carnegie Hall Will Compel Building in Another District|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/01/31/archives/musical-centre-is-likely-to-shift-approaching-sale-of-carnegie-hall.html |access-date=September 28, 2022}}</ref> At the time, the site was valued at $2.5 million,<ref name="p1113115352">{{cite news |date=September 12, 1924 |title=Carnegie Hall To Be Razed for Office Building: Famous Structure Will Be Put on Market Soon as Result of Its Deficits; Price Around $2,500,000 |page=1|newspaper=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1113115352}}}}</ref> and another performance venue in midtown, [[Aeolian Hall (42nd Street)|Aeolian Hall]], had been sold for redevelopment.<ref name="The New York Times" /> In February 1925, Carnegie's widow sold the hall to a real estate developer, Robert E. Simon.<ref>{{Cite news|date=February 1, 1925|title=New Leader Rises in City Real Estate; Carnegie Hall Deal Discloses Robert E. Simon as a Manipulator of Millions|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/02/01/archives/new-leader-rises-in-city-real-estate-carnegie-hall-deal-discloses.html|access-date=December 18, 2020|archive-date=August 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814231114/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/02/01/archives/new-leader-rises-in-city-real-estate-carnegie-hall-deal-discloses.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The sale agreement included a clause requiring that either Carnegie Hall would continue to operate as a performance venue for at least the next five years, or another performance venue would be erected on the site.<ref name="p1112791299">{{cite news|date=January 30, 1925|title=Carnegie Hall Sold, but Wins 5 Years' Grace: R. E. Simon Buys Historic Music Center, Agreeing to Time Clause Unless New Auditorium Is Built Sooner|page=11|newspaper=The New York Herald, New York Tribune|id={{ProQuest|1112791299}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=January 30, 1925|title=Carnegie Hall Is About to Be Sold, but Won't Close Yet; Clause in Sale Contract Safeguards Concerts There for the Next Five Years|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/01/30/archives/carnegie-hall-is-about-to-be-sold-but-wont-close-yet-clause-in-sale.html|access-date=August 24, 2021|archive-date=August 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824143937/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/01/30/archives/carnegie-hall-is-about-to-be-sold-but-wont-close-yet-clause-in-sale.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Simon said the hall would continue to operate for as long as it was profitable,<ref name="nyt-1925-02-06">{{Cite news |date=February 6, 1925 |title=Carnegie Hall Sale is Now Complete; But R.E. Simon Says Buildings Will Stand Indefinitely if Income Warrants|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/02/06/archives/carnegie-hall-sale-is-now-complete-but-re-simon-says-buildings-will.html |access-date=September 28, 2022}}</ref> and he wished to restore the basement recital hall as well.<ref name="p1113011924">{{cite news |date=February 6, 1925 |title=Carnegie Hall Has Passed from Iron Master's Estate |page=26|newspaper=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1113011924}}}}</ref>

Under Simon's ownership, a new organ was installed in Carnegie Hall<ref name="p1111977225">{{cite news|date=June 2, 1929|title=A New Organ To Be Installed In Carnegie Hall: Preliminary Work for Placing the Instrument Will Be Started Tomorrow|page=F9|newspaper=New York Herald Tribune|id={{ProQuest|1111977225}}}}</ref> and dedicated in December 1929.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 28, 1929|title=Oratorio Society Gives ''Messiah''; Stoessel Leads Chorus of 250 Voices Augmented by New Organ of Carnegie Hall|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/12/28/archives/oratorio-society-gives-messiah-stoessel-leads-chorus-of-250-voices.html|access-date=August 24, 2021|archive-date=August 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824143940/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/12/28/archives/oratorio-society-gives-messiah-stoessel-leads-chorus-of-250-voices.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Robert Simon died in 1935.<ref name="p1317982631">{{cite news|date=September 8, 1935|title=Robert E. Simon Dies at 58; Kin of Morgenthau|page=23|newspaper=New York Herald Tribune|id={{ProQuest|1317982631}}}}</ref> Murray Weisman succeeded Simon as president of Carnegie Hall's board of directors, while the late owner's son [[Robert E. Simon]] Jr. became the vice president.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 29, 1935|title=Weisman Is Head of Carnegie Hall; Elected President to Succeed Late Robert E. Simon, Whose Son Is Made an Officer|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/09/29/archives/weisman-is-head-of-carnegie-hall-elected-president-to-succeed-late.html|access-date=December 18, 2020|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530193208/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/09/29/archives/weisman-is-head-of-carnegie-hall-elected-president-to-succeed-late.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p1237352810">{{cite news|date=September 29, 1935|title=M. Murray Weisman Carnegie Hall President: Managing Director Succeeds Late Robert E. Simon|page=24|newspaper=New York Herald Tribune|id={{ProQuest|1237352810}}}}</ref> A bust of the senior Simon was installed in the lobby in 1936.<ref name="p1237393750">{{cite news|date=May 6, 1936|title=Robert E. Simon Bust Unveiled In Carnegie Hall|page=16|newspaper=New York Herald Tribune|id={{ProQuest|1237393750}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=May 6, 1936|title=R. E. Simon Lauded at Bust Unveiling; Tributes Paid to His Idealism in Preserving Carnegie Hall for Community Use|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/05/06/archives/re-simon-lauded-at-bust-unveiling-tributes-paid-to-his-idealism-in.html|access-date=August 24, 2021|archive-date=August 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824143937/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/05/06/archives/re-simon-lauded-at-bust-unveiling-tributes-paid-to-his-idealism-in.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The main hall was modified around 1946 during filming for the movie [[Carnegie Hall (film)|''Carnegie Hall'']].<ref name="Page p. 20" /><ref name="Walsh 1987" /> A hole was made in the stage's ceiling to allow the installation of ventilation and lights for the film. Canvas panels and curtains were placed over the hole, but the acoustics in the front rows became noticeably different.<ref name="Walsh 1987">{{cite magazine|last=Walsh|first=Michael|date=February 16, 1987|title=Sounds in the night|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963548-1,00.html|url-status=dead|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|volume=129|issue=7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930122117/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963548-1,00.html|archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref> In 1947, Robert E. Simon Jr. renovated the hall to designs by [[Kahn and Jacobs]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Stratigakos|first1=Despina|title=Elsa Mandelstamm Gidoni|url=https://pioneeringwomen.bwaf.org/elsa-mandelstamm-gidoni|access-date=September 25, 2020|website=Pioneering Women of American Architecture|publisher=Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation|archive-date=August 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830104728/https://pioneeringwomen.bwaf.org/elsa-mandelstamm-gidoni/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Carnegie Hall History Timeline|url=https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History/Timeline|website=CarnegieHall.org|publisher=The Carnegie Hall Corporation|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=October 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004234550/https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History/Timeline|url-status=live}}</ref>