Albany07rev - Page: 1 of 1

From C to Shining C

I once read a review of the great soprano Leontyne Price, in which the
reviewer said her voice had thrilled people "from C to shining C." I decided
to steal that line, because it more than fits the voice of Anthony Kearns
and this past weekend's last two concerts of the Fall 2007 season.

Friday night's concert at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in
Albany was very well handled. There were military cadets to escort people
to their seats, and a slim man named Jim, who could be a bouncer at
any bar in NY, making sure that law and order were maintained. Jim is
in reality, assistant to the Bishop, and entrusted to make sure all things
go smoothly. This he did perfectly. The Cathedral is a huge edifice,
ornately scrolled, with gorgeous dark wood, and an imperious Gothic
look. The magnificently carved altar had floral arrangements on each side,
and Mr. Healy's Steinway in the middle. This concert was planned to
commemorate the 155th anniversary of the Cathedral's existence, and
help renovate it to a new splendor. And the word out on the street is that
in 2009, or thereabouts, when the new Cathedral is unveiled, there will
be a grand opening ceremony starring......Anthony Kearns and Patrick
Healy! Such was the impact that these two men had on Bishop Hubbard,
the Very Reverend Pape, the promoter, and the audience. The concert began
with an ethereal "Standchen" by Schubert. The title means "serenade" in
German, and Anthony literally serenaded his audience with beautiful
sound. Just as an aside, during this and the next concert, we heard
music sung in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Latin, and English.
All effortlessly done (or made to seem so), the languages expert. As
posted previously, there were new songs galore. But there are always
some which stand out, and overwhelm the soul. My own personal
favorites began with "My Love is Like the Red, Red Rose" based on
words by Robert Burns. And therein comes the phrase "from C to
shining C." There were glorious high notes all evening long. And even
though I know some of these pieces like the back of my hand, the
astonishing ease and beauty that Anthony gave to his high A's, B-flats,
and even a high C, never failed to surprise and delight the audience.
And Anthony has become a true musical storyteller. With the help of
the master storyteller himself, Patrick Healy, Anthony's voice wound
itself around the words and told stories that were funny, desperately
sad, supernatural, wistful, full of love.......you name it, it was there.
"Molly Bawn" was another of my particular favorites, filled with longing,
and limpidly sung. Anthony and Patrick did not sing the Gondolieri duet
unfortunately, but instead inserted "The Bould Gendarmes" to the
absolute delight of the audience. The first half of the concert ended
with a rousing "Funiculi, Funicula" capped off with a high note that
possibly only Mario Lanza would have attempted. I don't remember
Lanza's, but Kearns' was spectacular!

The second half of the concert was the more beautiful and substantive,
to me. It began with a magnificent "La Donna e Mobile" from Rigoletto.
Each time I hear Anthony sing this aria, I'm reminded how perfectly
the tenor role fits his voice. I think that should be his next operatic
role. After the aria, one would think things couldn't get any better.
But they would be wrong. Anthony switched gears and sang a
luminous, touching, and supremely lovely "Snowy Breasted Pearl."
Made famous by John, Count McCormack, it is unbelieveably beautiful.
Then Mr. Kearns switched gears again, to sing another favorite, one
which I thought was the comedy hit of the night, "McBreen's Heifer."
It is the tender story of a small-town boy, Jamesie McByrne, who has
the enviable task of choosing which one of two sisters he will wed.
Kitty is pretty, but Jane is plain. However, to balance the task, their
father has added some livestock to Jane's dowry. In the funniest line
of the song, and one which Anthony imbued with the most irony.........a
pretty girl may lose her looks.....but a heifer may become a valuable
cow! Jamesie hesitates, however, and both girls are taken. It's a
wonderful song. Anthony made an on the spot decision to substitute
Gounod's "Ave Maria" for "Bring Him Home." It was the right decision,
and it was perfect. The Schumann Lieder were were artfully done, with
"Widmung" radiantly sung. It's a famous piece in concert recitals, but
not often done because it's very difficult. Patrick then regaled everyone
in hearing distance with his hilarious"Donkey Serenade" piece, about
accompanying 2 ladies, one with a high voice, the other with a low
voice........but he began in the wrong key! Patrick swears this is a true
story, and I guess you can't make this stuff up, but the reaction of the
original audience, and the present one was the same.....we were
rolling in the aisles! It is the funniest story I've ever heard him tell.
Anthony came back to sing a song wich was a huge hit for Mario
Lanza, "The Loveliest night of the Year." It was inserted in Lanza's
successful movie, The Great Caruso. Anthony outdid Lanza by miles.
It was lilting, romantic, and gorgeously sung. The one French piece
was an exquisitely sung "Apres Un Reve" by Gabriel Faure.
Anthony's French has become quite expert, and he descriptively
showed the languid, sensual beauty of the words, as the singer
awakes from a dream of his love, in which he has left the earth
and followed her toward the light...vers la lumiere. And he begs
to return to the dream and the mysteries of the night. The final
songs of the concert were more familiar but nonetheless
rapturously received by the audience. Audiences love to hear
Anthony sing the famous Italian songs. "O Sole Mio," and
"Mattinata" did not disappoint. I know I've said this before, but
he has the sun of Italy in his voice, and these songs brought the
house down, as they always do. This evening was a wonderful
anniversary gift to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception........
and to us.

The gala reception was magnificent. Well-stocked bar, hot and
cold food, luscious desserts, and the men of the night, making the
rounds, talking to everyone, signing programs and posing for
pictures. Many, many thanks go to Tom Prindle, Director of
Development for the Diocese of Albany. Tom is a huge fan of
Anthony's, and has worked for two years to bring him to Albany.
Finally a mutually available date was found, and Tom got to work.
Friday night's wonderfully successful evening was the result.
And he wants to do it again! What could be better........except the
anticipation of another concert the next afternoon!

Berta Calechman