3 Royal Tenors & 1 Superb Accompanist

Date: 22 Jun 2003 17:21:54 -0700
Newsgroups: rec.music.opera
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We had a gorgeous day in Chicago.
For me the highlight was a splendid (and joyous) concert put on by
John Venning and his colleagues.
On the beautiful grounds of the Danish Home for the Elderly we were
treated to a musical feast of operatic and musical chestnuts.
They sang in leisurely tempos so that one could relish the words as
well as the music. The three tenors offered a variety of sounds.
John acted as the emcee and brought about considerable audience
participation (I'd estmate maybe 700 or so people in the garden
setting).
They opened with a rollicking "La Donna e Mobile" (all the numbers
involved all three singers) and their intrepid pianist (who battled
breezes to keep his sheet music on the music stand). John was the
spinto, his tall Icelandic companion offered an heroic voice, and the
Scottish tenor provided a more gentle but virile lyric sound.
Then they launched into "Nessun dorma" -- de rigueur as (according to
Mr. Venning) the favorite tenor aria of the day.
John got the crowd going by having them sing along in the Brindisi
from LA TRAVIATA. I wondered how they would handle this number
because it requires a soprano voice. Few seemed to notice that
omission. John got us all singing "La La" as the choral contribution.
It was fun to hum along to Verdi's swaying waltz-like tune.
(I am trying to recall the program from memory as I took no notes, so
I may miss items or get them out of order).
John asked if anyone could identify the next number from simply the
first chord as "voiced" by the dashing pianist (the only Danish-born
person in the group). I whispered to my wife, "Dein ist mein ganzes
Herz." And sure enough it was. We were sitting in the first row (my
wife, daughter and grandchildren as well as John's wife and daughter). The surprise was John approaching my 11-year old granddaughter,
holding her hand and delivering a part of the song. John has what one
might describe as a Continental manner -- a fine gentleman.
Later there was the famous waltz from THE MERRY WIDOW during which the
Scottish tenor danced with my daughter.
The singers then allowed a brief solo number from their accompanist:
it was Rossini's "La Danza" played at increasingly breakneck speed.
The audience was told to withhold their applause for the pianist
because it might go to his head. Of course he wound up receiving an
ovation -- and well deserved. The tenors chimed in with their
vigorous interpretation of this song which I recall having first heard
in "The Great Caruso" sung by Mario Lanza.
We heard songs such as "Tonight" from WEST SIDE STORY, "Be My Love"
(another Lanza specialty).
There were some Danish songs, and one of them, "Jealousy" I had always
thought of as a Spanish ditty.
Such a gathering was a perfect setting for their delivery of
"Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen." They teased us into it by first
making it appear they were about to sing the Sinatra favorite, "New
York, New York" or should I say "Noo Yawk, Noo Yawk."
These gentlemen provided a delightful afternoon of song. Something
which I had awaited for three months came off beautifully without a
hitch.
We've read some criticisms of "The Three Tenors" format pioneered by
(paraphrasing John) a fat Italian and two aging Spaniards. But that
format enlivened by much humor brought the joy of music into the lives
of many people on a gorgeous summer's day.
Thank you Danish Home for the Elderly. Thank you, Royal Tenors, and
Royal Accompanist!
==G/P Dave