by Claire O'Neill

After a $159 million, 18-month renovation, Alice Tully Hall will reopen at New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday. A two-week opening-nights festival will include opera, poetry, period ensembles, choral works and world music. Here's a look at Lincoln Center's history — from its construction to its establishment as a hub of performing arts.

Hear the full concert here

  • A carpenter takes a lunch break in front of construction work on The Metropolitan Opera House in 1964.
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    A carpenter takes a lunch break in front of construction work on The Metropolitan Opera House in 1964.
    AP Photo
  • Lincoln Center's Philharmonic Hall is illuminated for opening night on Sept. 23, 1962.
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    Lincoln Center's Philharmonic Hall is illuminated for opening night on Sept. 23, 1962.
    AP Photo
  • More than 4,000 members of New York society turn out for opening night at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1966.
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    More than 4,000 members of New York society turn out for opening night at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1966.
    Bettmann/CORBIS
  • An undated aerial view shows Lincoln Center. Among its buildings are the New York State Theater (foreground), the Metropolitan Opera House (left rear) and Philharmonic Hall (right rear).
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    An undated aerial view shows Lincoln Center. Among its buildings are the New York State Theater (foreground), the Metropolitan Opera House (left rear) and Philharmonic Hall (right rear).
    AP Photo
  • In 1976, first lady Betty Ford (center) follows the lead of dancer Judith Jamison (center rear) in an impromptu duet at the opening of the Alvin Ailey City Center Dance Theater at the New York State Theater.
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    In 1976, first lady Betty Ford (center) follows the lead of dancer Judith Jamison (center rear) in an impromptu duet at the opening of the Alvin Ailey City Center Dance Theater at the New York State Theater.
    Bettmann/CORBIS
  • Dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov rehearses for the American Ballet Theatre's production of "Giselle" in 1977 at Lincoln Center.
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    Dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov rehearses for the American Ballet Theatre's production of "Giselle" in 1977 at Lincoln Center.
    Suzanne Vlamis/AP
  • Jazz musician Miles Davis performs at New York's Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center as part of the Kool Jazz Festival in 1985.
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    Jazz musician Miles Davis performs at New York's Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center as part of the Kool Jazz Festival in 1985.
    Ray Stubblebine/AP
  • Mstislav Rostropovich acknowledges the audience after leading the London Symphony Orchestra in a performance of the music of Dmitri Shostakovich in 2002.
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    Mstislav Rostropovich acknowledges the audience after leading the London Symphony Orchestra in a performance of the music of Dmitri Shostakovich in 2002.
    Stephen Chernin/AP
  • Rose Hall, as seen inside the Jazz at Lincoln Center complex in 2004, is the world's first performance, education and broadcasting facility custom-built for jazz.
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    Rose Hall, as seen inside the Jazz at Lincoln Center complex in 2004, is the world's first performance, education and broadcasting facility custom-built for jazz.
    Jennifer Szymaszek/AP
  • A model of a redesigned Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is on display during a news conference in 2004.
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    A model of a redesigned Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is on display during a news conference in 2004.
    Bebeto Matthews/AP
  • Pedestrians walk through Lincoln Center past the Metropolitan Opera House (left) and Alice Tully Hall (right) in 2005.
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    Pedestrians walk through Lincoln Center past the Metropolitan Opera House (left) and Alice Tully Hall (right) in 2005.
    Mary Altaffer/AP
  • Rendering of Diller Scofidio + Renfro's design of Alice Tully Hall, 2005.
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    Rendering of Diller Scofidio + Renfro's design of Alice Tully Hall, 2005.
    Photo by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, in collaboration with FXFowle, courtesy Lincoln Center
  • Rendering of Diller Scofidio + Renfro/FXFowle's design of Alice Tully Hall and The Juilliard School, 2007.
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    Rendering of Diller Scofidio + Renfro/FXFowle's design of Alice Tully Hall and The Juilliard School, 2007.
    Photo by Diller Scofidio + Renfro/FXFowle, courtesy Lincoln Center
  • The renovated Alice Tully Hall is seen at night.
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    The renovated Alice Tully Hall is seen at night.
    Image courtesy Lincoln Center

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Lincoln Center is one of the world's leading performing arts center. It consists of 12 arts and educational organizations, such as The Juilliard School, The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic — all on a 16.3-acre campus on West 65th Street. To unite the center with its surroundings, it underwent a series of renovations designed by the Diller Scofidio + Renfro architectural firm and FXFowle Architects. The goal was to preserve the spirit of the original 1960s architecture while creating more space and light, opening the center both physically and communally.