The 2020 Hamlen-Palm Series lineup has sold out some of the world’s most revered classical music houses, and can now be experienced from mere feet away in one of New York City’s most elegant apartments.

Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo’s house concert, previously scheduled for Thursday, June 4, has been postponed indefinitely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The series, benefiting Classical Action, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, previously included JACK Quartet on Thursday, February 20, and soprano Lisette Oropesa on Monday, March 2.

The exclusive house concert starts at 7:30 pm; cocktails begin at 6:30 pm. The performance will take place in the intimate TriBeCa loft home of longtime Classical Action supporters Kevin Roon and Simon Yates.

✛ JACK Quartet

 

Hailed by The Washington Post as the “go-to quartet for contemporary music,” JACK is known for exploring new styles of rhythm, new harmonies and new aesthetic modes. A New York Times critics pick as the nation’s most important string quartet, JACK brings impeccable musicianship, intellectual ferocity and a take-no-prisoners sense of commitment to every performance.

✛ Lisette Oropesa

 

Wherever in the world Lisette Oropesa performs, critics rave, solidifying her place at the top of her profession. One of the most in-demand lyric coloraturas today, she dazzled audiences last fall in her return to The Metropolitan Opera as the title heroine in Massenet’s Manon. Her Hamlen-Palm debut takes place during her highly anticipated run as Violetta Valéry in The Met’s La Traviata.

✛ Anthony Roth Costanzo

 

Fresh off his critically acclaimed performance as the titular role in Phillip Glass’ Akhnaten at The Metropolitan Opera, countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo continues working to create a bridge between classic opera and 21st century audiences. A performer since he was 11, Costanzo’s debut album, ARC, was nominated for a 2019 Grammy Award and he was named Musical America‘s 2019 vocalist of the year.

✛ 2020 Hamlen-Palm Series Supporters

 
Platinum
David Hyde Pierce & Brian Hargrove
Michael Palm Foundation/Stanley Family Foundation

Diamond
John & Sophie Bilezikian
     In loving memory of Sara Bilezikian, and also in loving memory of Charlie Hamlen
Helen Bodian & Roger Alcaly
Kevin Roon & Simon Yates

Gold
Sandro Cagnin & Wheelock Whitney
Omomuki Foundation
Sarah & Howard Solomon
Susan Tanaka & Lewis Alexander
Seth Tribble & David Vansuch

Silver
Stuart & Linda Nelson

✛ Advisory Committee

 
Scott Barnes – Trustee, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

David Kneuss – Executive Stage Director, Metropolitan Opera

David Lai – Co-President, Park Avenue Artists

Margaret Lioi – CEO, Chamber Music America

Bill Palant – Managing Director, Etude Arts

Kevin Roon – Host, Hamlen-Palm Series

Marc Scorca – President & CEO, Opera America

Simon Yates – Host, Hamlen-Palm Series

The series honors two of Classical Action’s most ardent supporters. Charles Hamlen was the founding director of Classical Action, a visionary in the world of classical music management as the co-founder of what would become IMG Artists, and artistic adviser to the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Hamlen passed away from leukemia on August 1, 2018.

Michael Palm was a financial expert and philanthropist who dedicated his life to the arts, gay rights and the fight against HIV/AIDS. He first met Hamlen backstage at Carnegie Hall following a recital by pianist Earl Wild, where Palm learned about Classical Action. Palm was inspired by the classical musicians coming together to make a difference and launched a series of benefit house concerts that ultimately bore his name. Palm died in 1998.

Since Classical Action’s first house concert in 1993, more than 50 classical performers have shared their time and talents Among the notable artists who’ve appeared are Joshua Bell, Joyce DiDonato, Renée Fleming, Denyce Graves, Natasha Paremski, Yuja Wang and André Watts.