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People are funny. Art Linkletter said it many years ago, and it's still true. What makes one audience so different from another, when they share at least one thing-their admiration for The Irish Tenors? Friday's concert at the Providence Performing Arts Center had all the makings of another great concert in this year's Christmas tour. But the audience was so "reserved" it was hard to get them moved. They weren't unresponsive, but it took the Tenors almost the whole concert to warm them up. They tried hard, though. The singing was a little less good than two nights earlier in Worcester, but still excellent. The solos were marvelous! Again, Finbar roused the audience with a moving "How Great Thou Art", and Ronan almost had them for "Mary's Boy Child." But they didn't sway in time to the music, and I think Ronan was disappointed, even though he sang it beautifully. Anthony's "The West's Awake" continues to be a favorite. His voice was strong, and his final high note rang out with crystalline clarity.

I haven't mentioned John Lennon's "So This is Christmas" yet this tour. I really like that song more and more, each time I hear the Tenors do it. Their harmony on "War is over, if you want it", is exquisitely sung. And "Fairytale of New York" did finally have the audience stomping their feet. Ronan turned to Maestro Arnie and introduced himself, after "so happy Christmas", and they shook hands. Finbar dedicated a song to his Uncle Gerald and Aunt Margaret, who were in the audience. Uncle Gerald had just celebrated his 80th birthday. Finbar also said, "Ronan Tynan sends his regards, too, even though you're a Red Sox fan." That prompted cheers and boos and laughter from the audience, and as Finbar and Ronan left the stage, Ronan ran back, and said with glee- "Up Yankees."

"Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "America the Beautiful" of course brought cheers, whistles, and more foot stomping. But even the orchestra was a trifle lackluster, and although Maestro Arnie tried valiantly, using crisp and a tiny bit exaggerated direction, he couldn't seem to rouse them enough. It was a very, very good concert, and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. But perhaps more feedback from the folks out front would have helped a lot.

I hope that the joy and holiday spirit that Anthony, Finbar, Ronan, and Maestro Arnie have shared with us these past few weeks will gladden their hearts as well. It certainly gladdened mine.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Berta Calechman