Joshua Bell To Honor The Late Charles Hamlen In Special Concert

The life of Charles Hamlen, one of classical music's most legendary managers and philanthropists, will be celebrated at an intimate house concert featuring renowned violinist and Hamlen protégé Joshua Bell. The Monday, October 1, tribute is produced by and benefits the organization Hamlen founded, Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS, now a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The exclusive house concert will take place in the stunning TriBeCa loft home of longtime Classical Action supporters Simon Yates and Kevin Roon. Bell will be accompanied by pianist Sam Haywood.

Tickets are on sale now at classicalaction.org. VIP tickets include a rooftop champagne toast with Bell in honor of Hamlen.

With a career spanning more than 30 years as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist and conductor, Bell is one of the most celebrated violinists of his era. A child prodigy, Bell made his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 17. He has recorded more than 40 albums garnering Grammy, Mercury, Gramophone and Echo Klassik awards and is the recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize.

Bell's career was deeply influenced and propelled by Hamlen, the founding director of Classical Action and a visionary in the world of classical music management.

Four years after co-founding the management agency that ultimately became the legendary IMG Artists, tragedy struck when his partner, Carlos Flor, died from AIDS in 1988. Hamlen asked himself, "Why isn't the classical music performing arts community more engaged in the fight against AIDS?" Hamlen decided he would be the answer to this vital, urgent question.

Hamlen left IMG Artists to form Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS, creating a series of house concerts and other benefit events to support those living with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses. Since 1997, Classical Action has been a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

In 2009, Hamlen returned to IMG Artists in the role of worldwide chairman, and in 2012 moved on to become the artistic advisor of the Orchestra of St. Luke's in New York. Hamlen stayed deeply connected with Classical Action throughout his life, offering his guidance, sage counsel and unparalleled expertise.

Hamlen passed away from leukemia on August 1, 2018. He was 75.

"Charles Hamlen was one of the kindest souls I ever encountered, and it was one of the great fortunes of my life to have had him as my first manager and my longtime friend," Bell said. "The world has lost a special human being."

Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, said: "There is no better way to honor Charlie and his accomplishments than to celebrate his life with an incredible artist who meant so much to him. Charlie was the rare individual who brought equal amounts of insight, dedication and action to his work and a graceful, easy generosity to his friendships and the people he loved. We are honored that Joshua has agreed to help us pay tribute to such a dear friend of us all."

Founded in 1993, Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS draws upon the talents, resources and generosity of the classical, opera and jazz communities to raise money for those battling HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses.

As a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Classical Action helps fund the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and The Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway Cares and Classical Action also award annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC.

Since its founding in 1988, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has raised more than $300 million to help provide access to lifesaving medications, health care, counseling, nutritious meals and emergency financial assistance to hundreds of thousands of men, women and children across the country.

For more information, please visit Classical Action at classicalaction.org.