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PHI BETA KAPPA MEMORIAL HALL
WILLIAMSBURG, VA
March 28, 2010
The Virginia Gazette
By John Shulson
March 31, 2010
WILLIAMSBURG
The Heritage Humane Society Auxiliary’s benefit program, “Puttin’ on
the Tenor: A Concert to Benefit the Animals,” featured celebrated tenor
Anthony Kearns and was, by all standards, worthy of the enthusiastic
“a-paws” it got. On several levels, it found substantial success, most
appropriately by raising approximately $25,000 for the organization.
And, because of the generous sponsorship, the costs of the event
were covered, allowing the full profits to go directly to the shelter.
The event was also of special note to Kearns, who was just named
Best Irish Tenor in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States,
and the European Union by the Irish Music Association. He was
presented his award prior to the concert.
Not the least in the way of successful outcomes was the program
itself, which delighted the nearly full house. Kearns, a founding
member of the renowned Irish Tenors, proved to be quite a solo
act of warmth and appeal.
The inviting sound found versatile display in a program that literally
covered the musical waterfront, offering some 20 or so songs,
arias, and ballads. Other finely sung highpoints included an
exemplary rendering of Schumann’s “Widmung”; an expansive
“Vienna, City of My Dreams” and equally expansive “Because
You’re Mine,” made famous by Mario Lanza.
Kearns was given superb support by accompanist Patrick Healy,
a pianist of considerable note. His playing was sensitive, solid,
and musically sound.
Self-named “the comic relief for the evening... with no entertainment
value,“ he easily proved otherwise, generously regaling us with
charming banter while Kearns took a breather off stage. A cross
between Victor Borge and Garrison Keillor, Healy’s commentary,
stories and anecdotes were enhanced by his timing and dry
sense of humor. Great fun. He also did a bit of solo singing as
heard in the sincerely intended “Galway Bay” and “Oh, What
a Beautiful Morning.”
Kearns and Healy even doubled up for a couple of duets,
“The Bould Gendarmes” and “Friend-ship,” both done with
charm, wit, and obvious affection and appreciation for each other.
Needless to say, in a program so genuinely sung, encores
were in order. Kearns honored the spontaneous standing
applause with two: the touching “Danny Boy” and a rather
rousing “Granada.” Thanks to Kearns and Healy for a
delightful afternoon of song, the warmth of which will find
value in memory and, most important, in the Heritage Humane Society.
