The Irish Tenors delivered a beautiful concert to a receptive and enthusiastic
audience at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. The house was full;
I saw only a few side seats vacant in the highest balcony. Two lighted Christmas
trees toward the rear decorated the stage. The orchestra was quite good, conducted
by Eric Stern. The concertmaster, a male violinist, was particularly talented and
featured in many passages during the orchestral numbers.
Being a longtime Irish Tenors fan, I feel obligated to take a moment here to cover
some details that may seem insignificant, but are of utmost interest to devoted
fans. Let's start with hair: Anthony's lacked any gray, was clipped short, parted
in the middle and combed back from his face. It seemed like a new style since
I'd seen him last, a year ago, and looked very good. Finbar's dark hair had a curl
at each side of his forehead, so he looked like he did in the PBS concert taped
at Ellis Island. Karl looked exactly the same as always, though my friend noted
that his white vest was different than the other two wore. His vest was double-
breasted and showed more white beneath his cutaway coat. And, oh yes, the
flowers: Finbar and Karl each wore a crisp, white lapel flower, while Anthony
came onstage flowerless. Don't ask---we'll never know...
This was the Tenors' third concert in three nights, so I wasn't surprised that they
appeared a bit fatigued. Finbar's eyes looked tired, and Anthony had shadows
under his. Karl, the youngest, seemed to hold up the best. However, all three
were in excellent voice and gave each song all their interest and energy. They
were more serious with less joking between them than at other concerts I've
seen. Still they seemed happy to be there and their joy of performance radiated
to the audience.
The wildest applause, except for the standing ovations at the end, came when
Finbar sang How Great Thou Art and when Anthony sang Ave Maria. Karl's
rendition of I'll Be Home for Christmas also went over very well. Karl is graceful
on his feet, and he and the conductor began to sway and almost dance together
midway through the song. During Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, Anthony
did the Twist!
At the concert's end, Finbar bid us all a happy Christmas and wished us "everything
that's beautiful in 2009." He added, "I hope that includes the Irish Tenors, by the
way!" They certainly left us with the memory of another beautiful Cerritos
concert, their fourth year in a row at this venue. They didn't say they'd be
back next year, but I sure hope they will!
Concert program
Opening Orchestral piece: Brian Boru's March
The Harp that Once through Tara's Halls
Spanish Lady
I'll Take You Home, Kathleen -- Finbar's solo
Grandfather's Immigrant Eyes -- Anthony's solo
Morning Has Broken -- Karl's solo
Love Me Tender
Orchestral number
Wexford Carol -- Anthony
Along the Little Road to Bethlehem -- Karl
The Christmas Song -- Finbar
We Three Kings
Go Tell It on the Mountain
INTERMISSION
Christmas Medley -- Orchestra
Let There Be Peace
O Little Town of Bethlehem -- Karl
Silver Bells -- Finbar
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas -- Anthony
How Great Thou Art -- Finbar
I'll Be Home for Christmas -- Karl
Ave Maria -- Anthony
Silent Night
Toora Loora
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Irish Medley -- Orchestra
Jingle Bell Rock/Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Fairy Tale of New York
O Holy Night
Encores:
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Winter Wonderland/White Christmas/Jingle Bells
Danny Boy
by Lori Herter
CERRITOS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
CERRITOS, CA
DECEMBER 10, 2008
