Hi All,
We just got home from Newport News where we saw the IT's Christmas
concert last night and I wanted to share a few of my thoughts.
Sean Casey was there and, at first, told us that they were not going
to come out for a M&G after the concert. But, that sadness was
turned to joy, when they came to the same place as last time, and sat
for a long time signing programs, CDs, posing for pictures, etc. It
was a wonderful photo-op!! It was also nice seeing Sean. He has
such a good relationship with the fans.
The sound system was not the best. I don't remember it being that
brassy or tinny, as Eileen called it, the first time they were at
Christopher Newport University. Nevertheless, it was great seeing
and hearing our guys, after such a long time between IT concerts.
Arnie Roth was not there. Instead, a very enthusiastic replacement
for him was Eric Stein.
After I read the review by Judy Matzke from the Milwaukee concert on
Saturday, I spent a couple of hours looking unsuccessfully on the
Internet for the sole new song on this tour, "Wake not yet from
slumber" sung by Anthony, or so Judy could recall. Well, last night,
Anthony announced the name of that song, and I just found it easily
with the new information. Here are the lyrics:
"Angels Guard Thee by Benjamin Godard
Language: ENGLISH
Beneath the quiv'ring leaves, where shelter comes at last,
All sadness sinks to rest, or glides into the past;
Her sweet eyes prison'd now, in their soft silken bars,
O! my love, calm she sleeps beneath the trembling stars.
Ah! wake not yet from thy repose,
A fair dream spirit hovers near thee,
Weaving a web of gold and rose,
Through dream land's happy isles to bear thee!
Sleep, love, it is not yet the dawn,
Angels guard thee, sweet love, til morn!
Far from the noisy throng,
by song birds lulled to rest,
Where rock the branches
high by breezes soft carres'd;
Softly the days go on,
By sorrow all unharm'd,
Thus may life be to thee
a sweet existence charm'd."
This is a lovely, but difficult song. I found in my Internet search
that it was also sung by Anthony's favorite, John McCormack. I was
so surprised that Anthony did yet another new song, having just
finished his Fall 2007 tour, in which he introduced so many new songs
to us.
From Judy's Milwaukee report, I was hoping to hear the Pie Jesu duet
by Finbar and Anthony. Alas, they did not sing it. But, Karl and
Anthony did sing the Panis Angelicus duet.
Happily, Anthony sang The Lord's Prayer more beautifully than he has
ever done before. The sheer beauty of his rendition brought tears to
my eyes. The trio sang some of the favorite Christmas carols, Silent
Night, O Holy Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, We Three Kings, of
course. They also did some of the secular stuff that I could do
without!!!
Great audience - full house, but I have no idea what is the seating
capacity.
If you haven't seen this Christmas tour, try to find a venue near
you!!
MJ Kittle
FERGUSON CENTER
NEWPORT NEWS, VA
DECEMBER 3, 2007
