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To paraphrase Dickens, going to an Irish Tenor concert can be "the best of times and the worst of times." The best is hearing 3 handsome men with 3 beautiful voices sing wonderful music. But there is such a "sensory overload" of beauty of sound, that you can miss some of the vocal nuances that the men put forth, and of course the horseplay that goes on. That's why it's almost mandatory to go to more than one concert, so you can experience what you might have missed before.

Last night, at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, CT, I had another opportunity to celebrate the holidays with my favorite tenors, and I think I enjoyed it even more than last week, because I knew what was coming, and was waiting for it. At this concert I was again in the front row, but on the opposite side, between Ronan and Maestro Arnie. I was able to get a new perspective, and hear the voices from a different angle. Again, the men were in great voice. Some of the selections sounded even better than before. As before, Maestro Arnie Roth strode out to great applause. He's getting to be almost as well known as the boys, because he's that good. Because I was so close to him, I watched his conducting, and he was ever attentive to his tenors, while maintaining control over his orchestra. He also had to put up with being Ronan's "love interest", but more about that later.

All three tenors sang their solos even better than last time. Finbar's "How Great Thou Art", and "The Foggy Dew" were showstoppers. And from the other side of the house, his diction was equally perfect. Anthony's "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" was very beautifully sung...as sweet and clear as a cold winter's day. And his "The West's Awake" was magnificent! It was stronger and more stirring, and the audience loved it. Of course Ronan had the audience in the palm of his hand with "Mary's Boy Child", and I thought they really would dance in the aisles, as he suggested. His other solo, "Song for Ireland", was really lovely. He sang it very sweetly and earnestly, and it suited him very well. The duets and trios were big successes, with "Little Drummer Boy" (Finbar and Ronan), sounding great, and "Pie Jesu" sounding as if we should all have been kneeling in prayer. The audience really loved "Go Tell it On the Mountain." It was very well done, and I think the guys enjoy singing it. As before, the first half ended with an exquisite "You'll Never Walk Alone", as Finbar said they had received many requests to sing it but this would be their first time. But what's an IT concert without the fun???? The boys were a little subdued in the first half, but in the second half, they came out of their shells (!!) This night in "Fairytale of New York", Maestro Arnie was the object of Ronan's affection. All 4 men had a great time, as Ronan turned to Arnie and sang "I love ya baby." After that, he just alternated between blowing kisses to Arnie, and holding hands with Anthony. He made one risqué remark about Arnie's baton, and Anthony, in this funny little voice, just said, "don't go there." The audience was rolling in the aisles. They had just as much fun in "Amigos Para Siempre" making asides to one another, and generally cracking each other up. Finbar was dancing so animatedly, he stopped just short of jitterbugging! And at the end of the evening, he thanked the orchestra, and Maestro Arnie, "despite being the object of Ronan's affections." Both "Battle Hymn of the Republic", and "America the Beautiful" were applauded as soon as the men started to sing. And on this night, as Ronan introduced "America the Beautiful" as "a song for you--Americans", the audience stood, and sang along with them. It was almost as moving as the first time we all stood and held hands for "God Bless America." Thank you again guys, for letting us share Christmas with you!

Review and Photograph - Property of Berta Calechman