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Tuesday night at Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, CT, we lined up outside the Fox Theatre to hear another great Irish Tenors concert. What we witnessed was something truly extraordinary. We saw and heard two "brothers-in-song" rise to the occasion, to help the third brother-an ailing comrade-and affirm that the show indeed must go on. After a wonderful "Mise Eire", during which I did think Maestro Arnie wasn't his usual ebullient self, the Tenors came onstage to "The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls." Next was "Red is the Rose", and as usual, Anthony's mellifluous voice began, "Come Over the Hill, My Bonnie Irish Lass". The next verse should have been Finbar's. Instead Ronan sang it. It was then that we knew something was amiss. I was sitting quite close to the stage, near Finbar, and I saw him move his lips, but no sound came out. Although nothing was said, we knew Finbar was ill. When the men first came out, he looked okay, but as the evening wore on, he did not look good at all. In a shortened program, it was of course a great disappointment to lose Finbar's three solos, and a number of the trios, including the beloved "My Heart Will Go On." But what I saw and heard instead were three troupers, determined not to cancel a performance. Anthony and Ronan sang their hearts out, taking turns singing Finbar's line. They were exhausted, but they sounded fabulous! Ronan's "Grandfather's Emigrant Eyes", and "Song for Ireland" were poignant and wonderfully sung. Anthony's "The West's Awake" was perhaps the best I've heard. His voice rang out proudly and beautifully. And I fear that soon, "Grace" will be too good! It can't get much better. The trios which remained in the show were very deftly performed, as Anthony and Ronan skirted back and forth, their harmonies "almost" sounding like there were three. I did hear Finbar try a few notes, but a singer knows when "it's just not there," and he wisely just mouthed the words. It was an admirable thing for Mr. Wright to dress in his tux, and come out with his colleagues, knowing that he could not help them this night. And for me the most beautiful thing I saw was the caring and loving way Anthony and Ronan tended to their colleague, while attending to business. Anthony's concerned looks, the friendly pat on Finbar's shoulder, Ronan's touch on his arm-all these were graciously given. There will be other Irish Tenor concerts, and all three men will be magnificent, as usual. But this night, it was an honor to see how much the men care for one another. Good health and Godspeed to our Tenors, and Arnie Roth. You've earned our respect and love, once again.

by Berta Calechman