PREformances with Allison Charney to Feature Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins and Noted Tenor Errin Brooks in Concert 3/13

The stars align and come out to shine for "PREformances with Allison Charney" first evening concert of 2017, where celebrated classical musicians come to play before they appear on the world's most prestigious stages.

Joining soprano and host Allison Charney in performance 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. Dashing dramatic tenor Errin Duane Brooks, winner of the coveted 2017 George London Awards, makes his PREformances' debut. The spotlight will also focus on PREformances with Allison Charney's collaborative pianist Craig Ketter, who graces the stage as solo pianist. Mr. Ketter will perform the Piano Sonata No. 1, op. 10 by composer Viktor Ullmann in preparation for his upcoming recording project of the complete piano sonatas of Viktor Ullmann.

Violinist Kelly Hall- Tompkins' debut appearance on PREformances with Allison Charney anticipates Ms. Hall-Tompkins concert at the United States Supreme Court, where Kelly will be awarded the Sphinx Organization Medal of Excellence by Justice Sonia Sotomayor on March 29, 2017. Together with soprano Allison Charney and pianist Craig Ketter, Kelly will delight the audience with selections by Richard Strauss and Jerry Bock. Acclaimed by the New York Times as "the versatile violinist who makes the music come alive" and for her "tonal mastery" (BBC Music Magazine), violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins has a dynamic career as a soloist and chamber musician. Winner of a Naumburg International Violin Competition Honorarium Prize, Ms. Hall-Tompkins has appeared as soloist in all 3 halls at Carnegie and with the Symphonies of Dallas, Oakland, Jacksonville, Tulsa, Brevard Festival and Uruguay. Ms. Hall-Tompkins has also performed in recital in Paris, New York, Toronto, Washington, Chicago, Baltimore and in festivals in France, Germany and Italy. Kelly's recent video recording, entitled "Imagination," has achieved over 1 Million views on You Tube to date and was featured by Chamber Music America and in Strings Magazine, which hailed the work as "Visionary...groundbreaking...sumptuous...a potent package."

Ms. Hall-Tompkins is a member of the Ritz Chamber Players, which has appeared on Ravinia's Rising Stars Series, The Allen Room at Lincoln Center, and WQXR's "Soundcheck." Ms. Hall-Tompkins is also the founder and President of Music Kitchen-Food for the Soul, which has, to date, brought over 80 chamber music performances to New York City and Los Angeles homeless shelters and been featured in the New York Times." Kelly Hall-Tompkins was the recipient in 2016 of an Honorary Doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music and also delivered the commencement address.

The 2017 award winning tenor Errin Brooks - whose performance of Siegmunds Aria from Wagner's Die Walkure "Siegmund heiss ich" garnered him the George London-Kirsten Flagstad Award in recognition of his gifts as a dramatic heldentenor - will perform both a Puccini duet with soprano Allison Charney and will open the evening with the Verdi aria La vita è inferno all'infelice ...O tu che seno agli angeli" from La Forza del Destino.

Mr. Brooks' guest appearance on "PREformances" anticipates his leading role in the New Amsterdam Opera's production of Giuseppe Verdi "La forza del destino on March 24th in New York City. Since his 2013-15 tenure withChicago Opera Theater's Emerging Artist program Mr. Brooks has continued to gain both national and international recognition. His past tenor roles include his debut as Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos with Chicago Opera Theater, covering Harlequin in Victor Ullman's "Der Kaiser von Atlantis" and Messenger in William Grant Still's "Troubled Island" a Chicago premiere. Most recently, he appeared as the second Scottish Soldier in Kevin Pitz's Silent Night and understudied Don Jose in Bizet's Carmen, both with Michigan Opera Theatre.

Brooks has performed throughout the United States with South Shore Opera, Toledo Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Utah Festival Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. While spending the summer of 2016 with Utah Festival Opera, Brooks placed first in the Michael Ballam Concorso Lirico in Logan, Utah, which merited his inclusion in the National Semi-Finals in Alessandria, Italy, where he was able to advance to the National Finals, place 4th, and win the Audience Favorite Award. Brooks has had success in several competitions, which includes winning the Grand Prize in The Bel Canto Competition, 2nd place in the Luminarts Cultural Foundation Competition, and Regional Finalist in the 2014-15 Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions. Errin currently resides in Detroit, Michigan. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan and his Master of Music degree from Bowling Green State University, Ohio.

In addition to the selections she will perform with her guests, soprano Allison Charney - whose recent performance in the ARK Trio's inaugural concert Love Resounding, with Kajsa William-Olsson and Reiko Uchida merited praise - will conclude the evening with Richard Strauss' art song Zueignung.

 

'PREformances with Allison Charney' Classical Concert Series

Featured guests violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins, tenor Errin Brooks and pianist Craig Ketter

Monday, March 13, 2017 at 7:30 pm

The JCC Manhattan, Goldman Sonnenfeldt Auditorium
334 Amsterdam Avenue at 76th Street
New York, NY 10023
Subway: B, C to 72nd St; 1 to 79th St

Tickets: General admission $15; JCC Members $10; Student/Seniors $5

Purchase tickets online or call 646.505.5708 to reserve $5 Senior-discounted tickets

 

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