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How do you say thank you to those who give you joy? Just saying the words somehow doesn't seem enough. I guess that will have to do, for now. I won't go over the songlist for the evening. It wouldn't do any good. We'll never hear those songs, that way again. But I do have some observations.

The Tenors sang their hearts out, and held nothing back. They were spent at the end of the evening, as were we. All three men were in spectacular voice, and their individual solos showed the best of their considerable best. I should make mention of some of the highlights of the evening. Anthony has "The Old Bog Road" in his voice, and in his soul. It was heartfelt, moving, and so beautifully sung. He added even more embellishments this night, and his voice had a keening quality to it, which made the words even more meaningful. "Love Thee Dearest" was as exquisite as ever, and "The West's Awake" was full of pride and beauty. His last high note rang out so jubilantly, that it brought the house down, and the audience to its feet. Just an aside......Anthony Kearns is only the second tenor I've ever heard, who has a wonderful trill. He added it at this concert, and even surprised Maestro Roth. Placido Domingo does not have a wonderful trill; Pavarotti doesn't have a trill at all, to my recollection. It's not easy, and most male voices don't even try it. Sopranos use it much more. But Anthony Kearns, besides his other musical gifts, has a trill. It doesn't surprise me. Finbar was magnificent. From the first click of the castanets to his final "ole", "South of the Border" was a tour de force for Mr. Wright. His voice was at once ringing and sensual,and I hope the cleaning crew has picked those swooning women off the floor by now. It's been several days! I love the Nora version of Maggie, and it was lovingly sung. It made me think about changing my name. And if the late Johnny Cash was listening that night, he would have agreed that Finbar's singing of "40 Shades of Green" was a fitting tribute to him, and to Ireland. Ronan. What can you say about Ronan? As he said after the concert, he was on fire. He treated us to the finest singing I've ever heard him do. "Grandfather's Emigrant Eyes" was tenderly and movingly sung. It's one of the best songs he does. "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" is a song beloved by many, and Ronan certainly makes it his own, with his plangent voice. It earned him a standing ovation.

The trios are well-known by now, and the highlights remained the same: "My Heart Will Go On", with the silky speaking voice of Finbar introducing it, "Whiskey in the Jar", with its raucous interaction, "Irish Rover", with its adorable dog (Anthony), a wonderful, wildly applauded "Danny Boy", "Fields of Athenry", where the men's harmony and the beauty of their voices was especially evident, and "Go, Lassie, Go", which proved that if the Tenors decide to stop singing, they can always be Rockettes!

Once again, Maestro Arnie Roth proved he is one of the finest conductors in music, today. He's very good to his singers, and that's important. He can make even a mediocre orchestra sound good, and a good orchestra sound marvelous. He's done both in the last couple of years. I hope he's velcroed to Anthony and Finbar, whatever their plans are!

So thank you Anthony, Finbar, Ronan, John, Arnie, Jimmy and Frank. Thank you for taking us with you on your 5-year voyage. We've had a wonderful time. I hope you have, too. Thank you for the joy!

by Berta Calechman