OUR LADY OF ANGELS
BROOKLYN, NY
MARCH 20, 2011
The thing about Anthony Kearns' concerts is......they're just like
Lay's potato chips, or M&Ms. You can't eat just one. And you
can't go to just one concert. You always want more. So although
Friday night's concert in Patchogue was wonderful, there was
another in Brooklyn, and once you become addicted to the
Kearns voice, there's no turning back.
Our Lady of Angels is a large, and beautiful church. The entire
center section was filled, with people also on either side of the
altar. I would have liked a little more light on our subject, but I
found the acoustics very good. Sunday's concert was basically
identical to the one on Friday, but there were one or two differences.
Anthony omitted "Hail Glorious St. Patrick," and added "Kitty of
Coleraine," which he hadn't sung on Friday. He does it very well,
with great comedy timing, and audiences always love it. "Terence's
Farewell" was exquisitely done, as were the two Russian songs
(in English translations), by Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky.
Rachmaninov songs especially, suit the plaintive quality of
Anthony's voice. "O Cease Thy Singing, Maiden Fair" was a
particular favorite of John McCormack's, so it's only fitting that
McCormack's successor should sing it so beautifully. Switching
to Broadway, he sang a lovely "Younger than Springtime," and
I can picture him as Lt. Joe Cable, which he did in a production
some years ago. I think Messrs Rodgers and Hammerstein
would have been very pleased.
Anthony began the second half with a brilliant "La Donna e
Mobile," once again nailing the ending cadenza and its ringing
high B natural. And to bless the refurbishing of the church, he
sang a beautiful Gounod "Ave Maria."
Together, Anthony and the multi-talented Patrick Healy sang
"The Bould Gendarmes" a duet from an obscure opera by
Offenbach, and they and the audience had lots of fun, as
the two corrupt policemen made short work of anyone who
didn't "take care of them." They just ran them in! It's always a
highlight of the concerts. They also sang "Friendship," written
by Mr. Healy himself. It's a wonderful piece of musical theatre.
Patrick contributed immensely to the concert with "The
Spinning Wheel" and "Galway Bay." He omitted "The
Donkey Serenade" gem, but added some Winston Churchill
aphorisms, and more humorous observations. Despite what
he always says about having no entertainment value whatsoever,
Patrick Healy's presence, and his immense talent, add
immeasurably to the concerts.
Once again, Anthony sang "Danny Boy," to end the concert
proper. The cheering audience wanted more, and he sang a
haunting "I'll See You Again," and a magnificent, roof-raising
"Granada." The men wished us safe home, and tried to leave
the stage. But the appreciative audience wasn't having any of
that. They wanted still more. So back they came, for Anthony
to sing a gorgeous "Vienna Mine."
This was one of the most grueling itineraries I've seen Anthony
and Patrick have, and I know they were exhausted. But the
show must go on, and there are still a handful of concerts to
go, including one at the Clinton Library, in Little Rock. Safe
travels to all!
Many thanks to Sean Casey, of CMI Entertainment, who is
driving precious cargo to the venues.
And to Anthony and Patrick, my heartfelt thanks for sharing
their prodigious gifts with all of us. And to quote the beautiful
final words of "Terence's Farewell".........."my blessings go
with you, ev'ry inch of the way that you go."
Berta Calechman
