CHRISTMAS TOUR
Landmark Theatre
Syracuse, NY
December 9, 2005
Dear Gail,
I am a faithful reader of your web page, so I was very sorry that the forces
of nature conspired to keep you from Friday’s concert. Your original seats in
the loge would have been two rows in front of ours, and I would have enjoyed
meeting you.
Thank you for linking Chuck Claus’ very nice review of the Tenors in the
local paper, and also for Sue Owen’s review. I thought Claus captured the
contrast between the three voices. Our own Syracuse Symphony was every
bit as good as the orchestra on the Sacred recording.
I follow all the Tenors’ doings through your wonderful web site, and after
Ronan left the group I was afraid that I would never see another Tenors’
concert (this one was my sixth). First of all, there were far fewer offerings
than the previous summer, and the long delay in issuing the Sacred recording
made me think that something was awry. But when I saw them walk out on
the stage, lead by John, who now stands in Ronan’s spot on stage, it was
like opening a special Christmas present.
I had not seen the Tenors when John was a member, and I was not sure
what to expect. As the reviewer points out, John’s voice is a nice contrast
to the other two, and his solos are especially suited to his range and style.
But he was wonderful in his ensemble work as well, especially in" Oh Holy
Night", where he more than held his own.
Finbar introduced the group. He was charming and modest, and more animated
than I’d ever seen him. John is the most mischievous of the three and gives
the evening an air of uncertainty. Each man introduced his own first solo.
John took quite a long time to tell a story that went with "The Old Tin Star."
When Anthony came out next, he told the audience he wouldn’t talk. "John
McDermott has said enough for all of us." Anthony had the fewest spoken
words, but, as always, everything he sang was heavenly.
Later on, when John did a solo with only piano accompaniment, he gestured
the conductor offstage, and then, to a collective gasp from the audience,
stepped up to the podium as if to lead the orchestra. He turned around to
the audience and said "I’ve always wanted to conduct an orchestra. Can’t do
it." At the very end of the concert, a tinfoil star somehow fell on to the stage
and Finbar, probably thinking of John’s first solo, pinned it on John. Said
John proudly, "I remembered all my lines, so I get a star. And I’m the senior
of this group."
The production consisted mostly of numbers from Sacred. My favorites were
"My Love", "Lord of the Dance", and "My Forever Friend. " The boys also did a
rousing "Courting Medley. "
Thank you so much for your work on the web page, and I’m sorry that you
couldn’t attend this wonderful performance. We’re still hoping to see an
Anthony concert in our area, so I’ll keep following your page to learn where
he’s performing next.
Robert J. Rabin
A LETTER FROM A FAN