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Most Irish Tenor fans are almost too easy to please. All the Tenors have
to do is show up and sing. Especially at Christmas time. The men bring
the joy of the holiday season with every note. So perhaps it doesn't make
a difference that the entire programme, with one exception, consisted
of songs they've sung many times before. The one new addition was
Anthony's. It was the "Berceuse", or Lullaby, from the opera "Jocelyn"
by Benjamin Godard. Written in French, it is more commonly known in
English as "Angels Guard Thee." It was sublimely beautiful. The vocal
shading, the soft high notes, the attention to the words, all were
perfection. Another highlight to me, was a new arrangement of "Hark
the Herald Angels Sing," with the mens' voices blending exquisitely,
and vocal embellishments added, especially by Mr.Kearns. It sounded
as if it belonged in a performance of Handel's Messiah, rather than a
Christmas carol. As long as I can hear Anthony Kearns sing The Lord's
Prayer, I'm a happy camper. And he didn't disappoint. It was glorious,
and earned him a standing ovation. His third solo was a plaintive "Love
Thee Dearest" with what sounded like a new orchestral arrangement,
to me. John McCormack would have been proud. Finbar was in wonderful
voice. His recent solo tours have obviously been very beneficial to his
voice, because he's sounding great. His first solo piece was a beautiful
"Isle of Inisfree." He sang his gorgeous, and justly bravo'd "How Great
Thou Art," and a lilting "Mary's Boychild." Karl seemed to be having a
few intermittent problems. Whether it was his microphone, or whether
he is becoming yet another victim of whatever bug is currently circulating,
there were many moments of great beauty. His charming introduction
to "I'll Be Home for Christmas." followed by a really lovely rendition of it,
completely captivated the audience. And the "Panis Angelicus" sung
with Anthony, was marvelous. The first half of the program included
some very "golden oldies", such as "Spanish Lady." But what did
happen to "Pie Jesu??"

The second half of the program consisted of the more traditional Christmas
music, including a magnificent "O Holy Night" which Anthony began in
French, a reverently beautiful "Silent Night" with Finbar in Spanish, Karl
in German, and Anthony in English, and the wonderfully irreverent
"Fairytale of New York." The men were very playful, poking fun at
one another (and also poking one another!). At one point Finbar pointed to
Anthony when the word "fairyland" was sung, and then looked very
suspiciously innocent, when the audience laughed, and Anthony looked
over to see what was so funny. Once again, Arnie Roth was absent,
unfortunately. But in Maestro Eric Stern, we had a marvelous conductor.
Mr. Stern is very well known in operatic circles, as a principal conductor
at the New York City Opera, among others. He conducted brightly and
animatedly. He even joined in the hijinks, as in "I'll Tell Me Ma" when
Karl sang ".........let them all come as they will, it's (Albert Mooney)
she loves still." Anthony "pleaded" with Karl to sing his name,
but no, Karl sang "it's Eric Stern she loves still." And the Maestro
took a bow. In the new Tenors Christmas program, Mr. Stern is listed
along with Arnie, as Tour Conductor. He's not a replacement for our
Arnie, but rather another of the great conductors The Irish Tenors
have the knack of selecting.

Sean Casey was not there, so there was no M&G. Since this was
the only east coast Christmas concert, it would have been nice to
wish the men Happy Holiday, and several people had gifts for their
favorite tenors. But it was not to be. Still it was a wonderful concert,
a bright addition to the holiday festivities. And after no summer tour,
it was terrific to hear those beautiful voices raised in song again.
So.........enjoy the rest of the tour, fellas. Safe home, "Angels
Guard Thee."

Berta Calechman