Photo Flash: Stars Shine in 'PREformances with Allison Charney' March 13th Concert

On March 13th, the stars aligned and came out to shine for "PREformances with Allison Charney" classical concert series, where celebrated classical musicians come to play before they appear on many of the world's most prestigious stages. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

Joining soprano and host Allison Charney in performance at the intimate Goldman-Sonnenfeldt theatre at the JCC Manhattan on NYC's upper West Side are violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins, most recently heard in her show stopping role as the enigmatic Fiddler in Bartlett Sher's Broadway revival of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Ms. Hall-Tompkins playing anticipates her performance at the United States Supreme Court, where on March 29th where she will be awarded the Sphinx Organization Medal of Excellence by Justice Sonia Sotomayor Dashing dramatic tenor Errin Duane Brooks, winner of the coveted 2017 George London Awards, makes his PREformances' debut and sang an aria from his upcoming principal role in the New Amsterdam Opera's production of Giuseppe Verdi "La forza del destino on March 24th.

The spotlight also focused on PREformances collaborative pianist Craig Ketter, who graced the stage as solo pianist in performance of rarely performed Piano Sonata No. 1, op. 10 by composer, conductor and pianist Viktor Ullmann in preparation for his upcoming recording project of the complete piano sonatas of Viktor Ullmann. Mr. Ketter, a performing member of "The Ullman Project" champions a growing movement promulgated by the Orel Foundation and Maestro James Conlon in producing and performing the music of the lost generation of gifted musicians who died during the Holocaust.

Soprano Allison Charney - whose recent appearance in the ARK Trio's inaugural concert Love Resounding merited praise - performed the Act I Love Duet with tenor Errin Brooks from Puccini's "Madama Butterfly", as well the art song "Morgen!" ("Tomorrow!") with violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins and pianist Craig Ketter. In addition to the Richard Strauss's selection Morgen! written in 1894 based on the love poem by John Henry Mackay, Allison Charney concluded the concert with Strauss' song Zueignung, which she dedicated to the memory of Fiora Corradetti Contino (1926-2017), who died on March 5th. Maestra Corradetti founded her first opera company when she was only 27 and became an accomplished conductor who performed on the stage for 50 years. Ms. Charney had the honor of performing with her in productions of "The Merry Widow," "La Boheme" and "Don Giovanni" with Opera Illinois and in Teatro Gratticielo's production of George Frederik Handel's oratorio "La resurrezione" at Alice Tully Hall.

Photos by the JCC and Heidi Russell