HOLLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
OMAHA, NE
March 17, 2009
No Omaha review? Was I the only occasional contributor that
was in attendance? Then maybe that's how I lucked into a front
row seat... my first for them...right between Finbar and Anthony.
Fortune smiled on the foolish, at least for one night. I live in Texas,
hate flying, and am getting really tired of these long drives since
neither the Tenors nor Anthony regularly visit my state. But..when
those beautiful voices flow over and through me--and I hear the
occasional song that stays in my head forever even though they
haven't recorded it and I may never hear them sing it again--and
I can see and hear the onstage gestures, the little in-jokes
between them, the unspoken communication with Arnie Roth--
I know that I'm glad that I came and that I hope there will be
more concerts in my future.
The song line-up for Omaha was the same as for the other shows.
I was a shade disappointed that few of my special favorites were
in this program but they were in such fine voice even "Danny Boy"
sounded rejuvenated. It was a nice airy theater but I think my seat
location made a difference in the acoustics, especially during
Karl's "The Old Man". He sang parts of it in such a soft voice that
I couldn't tell if he was miked. He also put quite an emotional spin
of his own on it, ending with the words "my old man". I was
pleased to hear "Lift the Wings" again. I share his enthusiasm
for this beautiful song and wish I had a recording of him singing it.
Finbar won the crowd over, as always, with his voice, his smile,
and his relaxed stage presence. I'm puzzled as to why the crown
always laughs when he begins "South Of The Border" even
though he prefaced it with a very clear explanation about why it
belonged in the show. No matter, the audience loved it and he got
one of the biggest responses of the night. Anthony...what can you
say that hasn't been said? His "Boolavogue" got a rousing
reception but all three of his solos were spot on and I especially
enjoyed the aria. Arnie Roth was enthusiastically back and the
orchestra was great. They even produced a nice train whistle
during the Percy French medley, to Anthony's approval.
Forgive the grammar, I haven't had much sleep. As Mr. T would
say, I pity the fool that would willingly miss
an Irish Tenors concert.
Susan Roberts
