STRATHMORE MUSIC CENTER
BETHESDA, MD
March 16, 2007
“Neither rain, nor sleet, nor…” These words were going through my
mind as we traveled from Williamsburg, Virginia to Bethesda, Maryland for
The Irish Tenors’ concert at The Music Center at Strathmore on Friday.
The driving rain turned into icy sleet and finally into crunchy snow. In contrast
to the climate, the red hot Irishmen were up to lifting our spirits and warming our
hearts.
“Star of the County Down” was the opener and followed by “Trasna
Na Dtonnta”, “Óró ´Sé Bheatha ´Bhaile” and “The Rose of Tralee.” Clearly
these tenors were in top form this evening. “Trasna” was so beautiful and
“The Rose” always tugs at my heartstrings.
Karl was accorded the evening’s first solo – “The Water Is Wide.” This
song is so well suited to his pure, clear voice. He has certainly settled nicely
into the IT groove. Anthony did a spirited rendition of “The Palatine’s Daughter”
and Finbar’s first solo offering was the ever popular “Forty Shades of Green.”
The trio returned with a delightful “Marie’s Wedding/I Know My Love.”
The tempo changes for these must be tricky but our gentlemen are certainly
up for it. “She Moved Through the Fair” by Anthony, moved us as well. Finbar
elicited great pity for his bachelor state in “Little Brigid Flynn” and Karl related
the origin of “The Last Rose of Summer” and sang it with tender poignancy.
“My Irish Molly O” was fantastic – rousing, spirited and spot-on! The first
half closed with “My Heart Will Go On” and it was the best that I have heard them
do it.
I do think that there were some issues with the orchestra. In the first half,
it seemed that the singers were struggling a bit to synchronize as if their “feed”
may have been a little off. The second half began with “Hail Glorious St. Patrick”
and the orchestra seemed much too aggressive. I felt that the singers were
shouting into their microphones to be heard above them.
The Percy French medley was as delightful as ever. Anthony was aided
in telling “Phil the Fluther’s” story by little Mickey Mulligan (Finbar) with a spiffy jig
and such a demure bow from the widow Cafferty (Karl). Karl’s rendition of “Come
Back Paddy Reilly” convinced every one of the merits of Ballyjamesduff. The
Tourist Board there better take note. “The Lay of the West Clare Railway” was
done with character dialect by so clearly that all enjoyed the story immensely.
You were just Wright there, Finbar!
The solos continued with Riverdance and two beloved Irish ladies.
Karl gave us a “Lift the Wings” which was light and lilting and lifting. And I certainly
feel that his addition to The Irish Tenors has sent them soaring. Anthony and Finbar
seem to be at the top of their game and the harmonies from these three are glorious.
Finbar took “Kathleen” home again and Anthony paid homage to “Grace” –
both were hauntingly beautiful.
The trio returned to pay tribute to their part of the homeland. “There Is An Isle”
may have been my favorite of the evening. It was new to me and simply lovely.
As was “Banks of the Lovely Lee” from Finbar’s Cork. “The Boys of Wexford”
declared Anthony’s love of his home county and Karl chose to serenade the
“The Rose of Mooncoin.”
“Danny Boy, “Golden Jubilee” and “Will Ye Go Lassie, Go?” brought
the evening to a close in great style and the audience was standing and
cheering. The encores which rewarded them were “Toora Loora Looral”,
“When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” and “God Bless America.” This evening’s
performance was superb and the sophisticated audience at Strathmore
loved every minute. We can only hope that we will be treated to much more
from these talented men who, to me, are the very best iteration of The Irish Tenors!
Ann Loker
