Naples08rev - Page: 1 of 1

The Phil is a beautiful venue with seats both downstairs and upstairs.
This time I opted for a box upstairs. We lucked out and got the first box
on the right side seats 1 and 2. The person that was with me is very tall
and would have been very cramped down stairs. We had a fantastic
view of the guys as well as the orchestra. Since I was at the Coral Springs
Venue the previous night and there was no meet and greet I thought that
it would be the same at the Phil. We arrived a bit early so I went to the
box office and asked if I could send Finbar’s latest CD and a DVD I had
purchased a long time ago on Personally Speaking featuring Anthony
for a signature. The young lady was very pleasant and said that she
would have to call the Tenors manager and check with them and I said
that I would wait. About five minutes later she called me over and verified
my tickets and said that an usher would come to my box and pick up the
articles and return them to me after they had been signed. Of course
I was again in seventh heaven. We were about halfway down the hallway
to our seats when the young lady called out my name and picked up the
articles. Since there were no programs I had nothing for Karl to sign
so I asked that he sign my ticket stub. Next time I will be more prepared.
Any way at 7:30 the doors were unlocked and we enter our box and of
course there on my seat was a program with a nice article on the Tenors.
Now keep in mind that I do not like heights, but these seats were to die for.
If you can't be in the first row then this is the place to be. We were of
course not up close and personal like I would have preferred, but this was
great. Where I was sitting I could see not only the stage but part of the
side stage where the guys made their entrance and exits. At first I
thought that we might have the box to ourselves, but finally the other
six people showed up. A very nice couple sat behind us and this was
their first Tenor concert. They said that they had seen them on PBS
numerous times and wanted to see them very much. They asked a
couple questions and I was happy to answer what I could. They were
pretty much blown away by the power and professionalism of these

three guys and were already hoping for a show next year. I don't know
about anybody else, but I meet the nicest people at the Tenor concerts.

When 8 PM finally arrived, so did the Maestro. The Philharmonic
orchestra was fantastic. It really is unbelievable what you can see
from upstairs. The songs were the same as the previous night and if
it is possible they sounded even better. These guys seem to outshine
themselves at each show. How lucky for all in the audience. Again
intermission came too soon and they all left the stage. The couple
behind me was just in awe of what they saw. They had no idea how
different this was from just watching them on television. I was so
excited to see them having such a good time. My new friend said that
she just loved Finbar’s “How Great Thou Art” and Anthony’s “Ave Maria”.
She wanted to go down stairs and dance with Karl during “I'll be home
for Christmas”, but like me she thought the most beautiful song was
“O Holy Night” I have not heard a better version of this beautiful song.
The only sad part was that a lot of people did not stay for the Encores.
By rushing out to miss the traffic, they missed the best part. Any way at
the end it occurred to me that the usher did not bring my signed articles
back, so I went downstairs and asked and was sent to the front desk
where my DVD, CD and ticket was signed. This was beyond doubt a
perfect ending to another perfect Tenor evening. This is the best
Christmas present that anyone could ask for. I already have my wish
list ready for next Christmas. Care to take a guess as to what it is?