BEIJING, May 12 (Xinhuanet) -- New York's famed Lincoln Center celebrated its 50th anniversary Monday with Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man."

    The artistic and political extravaganza began in the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall, which reopened in February after a 159-million-U.S. dollar, 22-month renovation.

    Trumpet players from the Juilliard School of Music performed in front of the hall as hundreds of guests streamed inside.

    The center was built as the first major cultural complex in the United States and has become the world's largest performance center.

    The brass section of the Philharmonic, the nation's oldest orchestra, performed Copland's work under the baton of its new music director, Alan Gilbert. The program also included Gilbert conducting the Juilliard Orchestra playing the overture from Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro."

    Violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman performed the final movement from Mendelssohn's "Octet in E-flat, Op. 20" with alumni from the music program he founded.

    Others participating in ceremonies included among others New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor David Paterson, and performers such as violin great Itzhak Perlman, jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

    (Agencies)