CALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
ARLINGTON, VA
NOVEMBER 10, 2007
Though I was familiar with Mr. Kearns from his appearances as one of the
Irish Tenors, it wasn’t until a few years that I experienced hearing him
live. It was a gorgeous summer evening, perfect for the outdoor concert
at the N’Telos Pavilion in Portsmouth, Virginia. My friends and I talked
about the Tenors all the way home. We had had a wonderful time
and we all chose our favorite tenor – Anthony Kearns, of course.
After that memorable night, I had several opportunities to see the tenors
in various venues and also hear some PBS broadcasts. It wasn’t until last
fall that I heard Mr. Kearns in a solo concert at St. Bede Church in
Williamsburg. It was at that concert that I began to appreciate his talent
and charm. He had his audience enthralled. Then just last week, I went to
Richmond with Ann and Aleck Loker for a spectacular concert
and last night, we drove to Arlington, Virginia for an encore. What a fantastic
evening!
The performance was held at the Calvary United Methodist Church, a
smaller church than Richmond, but none-the- less perfectly suitable
for Mr. Kearns and his venerable accompanist, Patrick Healy.
Anthony warmed up his voice and the audience with a few
Irish ditties. He carefully interweaves the light ballads with the sad,
all reflecting his Irish heritage. After the first two pieces, Farewell
to Ireland and The Ballynure Ballad, he had his audience captured.
Anthony finished the segment with a lively and amusing Kitty of
Coleraine. He then took a short break and Patrick entertained
us with his gracious charm and witty humor. I am still laughing about
his story of a mix up with loving cups between a lady who won
a knitting bee and the fastest “female” dog that won a dog race.
Patrick mellow tenor concluded
with the poignant Galway Bay.
When the break was over, Anthony and the audience were warmed
up and his rendition of the familiar, How are Things in Glocca
Morra had everyone smiling and silently singing along. In this
segment of the concert, Anthony and Patrick sing a duet. In Richmond
they sang an amusing song called, We’re Called Gondolieri.
Last night, their presentation of The Bold Gendarme was equally
as fun. Mr. Kearns ended this part of the concert with a rousing,
Funiculi, Funicula. We are about to hear some serious stuff that
exercises the full power and range of Mr. Kearns wonderful voice.
I could hardly wait for Intermission to be over for I knew what
was to come.
Part two of the concert was my favorite. By now, Anthony
was in full voice. He opened the set with a full power La Donna e
Mobile. Wow! It is now obvious that Mr. Kearns has a formidable
talent and he can do justice to the demands of high opera. This
set included a poignant, My Snowy Breasted Pearl, and for a
change of pace, McBreen’s Heifer. Then Anthony gave us
wonderful rendition of Bring Him Home from Les Miserable, that
brought tears to my eyes. He concluded this segment with two
Schumann pieces, Du Bist Wie Eine Blum and Widmung sung in
German, of course.
While Anthony took a break, again our raconteur, Patrick, entertained us
with some more stories about his childhood and his family’s
housekeeper. Patrick concluded with a rendition of The Stately
Homes of England, tongue-in-cheek piece about the effect of
British taxation upon the Manor houses and Castles of England.
The final part of the program was no less spectacular than
the first. Anthony sang a lovely French song, Après Un Reve,
adding French to his languagerepertoire. Then switching to
Italian, he gave full voice to O Sole Mio. I pictured the gondolas cruising
up and down the canals of Venice. The final part of the program
was the presentation of two pieces written by Patrick,
the poignant A Father’s Prayer and a duet called Friendship,
that told a story about an aging tenor and a young tenor. Now I
wonder where he got the inspiration for that one? The two
gentlemen have an obvious rapport with one another and
closeness between them, which adds to the
delight of their performance.
Anthony then ended the concert with the ubiquitous Danny
Boy much to the delight of the audience. Auditable sighs were
heard as he started the piece. The audience showed their
delight and appreciation with a standing ovation. Mr. Kearns
concluded the concert with a marvelous La Mattinata.
Katharine Purrington
