New York City - Carnegie Hall, which opened its doors for the first time on May 5, 1891, celebrated its 120th anniversary with an all-star gala benefit concert featuring the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Music Director Alan Gilbert. Joining them were pianist Emanuel Ax, violinist Gil Shaham, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma as guest soloists in Beethoven's Triple Concerto, and vocalist Audra McDonald performing songs of Duke Ellington. Rounding out the program was Dvoř;ák's Carnival Overture and Gershwin's "An American in Paris," which had its premiere at Carnegie Hall in 1928.

Carnegie Hall's 120th Anniversary. (Julie Skarratt)

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg addressed the audience before the concert. The black-tie 120th Anniversary Concert Gala Benefit was chaired by Mercedes and Sid R. Bass. The evening included a post-concert dinner-dance with the artists at The Plaza, attended by more than 300 guests. The gala was the second Carnegie Hall benefit held in the past month honoring the 120th Anniversary of the Hall. Together, these galas raised approximately $4.4 million in support of Carnegie Hall's artistic and education programming.

The Carnegie Hall 120th Anniversary Gala Concert was recorded for nationwide broadcast on PBS by Thirteen for WNET's Great Performances on May 31, 2011. Classical 105.9 FM WQXR in New York will broadcast the concert and stream it online at wqxr.org .

In addition to the concert, the top of New York City's iconic Empire State Building turned "Carnegie Hall red" throughout the evening of May 5 as a salute to the Hall's 120th birthday.

Carnegie Hall will celebrate its 120th anniversary throughout the year and into next season, with three fascinating themes providing context for the yearlong celebration - a focus on Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky in St. Petersburg, a look at New York at the turn of the century, and an exploration of great classical works written during the period in which Carnegie Hall was born.

For more information on Carnegie Hall's 2011-2012 season go to www.carnegiehall.org.

Audra McDonald singing songs by Duke Ellington with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Music Director Alan Gilbert for Carnegie Hall's 120th Anniversary Gala on May 5. (Steve J. Sherman)