Friday was my birthday and I got pampered with the whole facial, manicure, massage, hairstyle thing then Kwea took me to dinner where I had the rack of lamb that I have been craving for months. It was fabulous! Saturday he took me to see the Irish Tenors. For those of you who don't like Irish music or don't think you would enjoy something like this....think again! They perform other music than what is traditionally thought of as Irish music....such as "South to Mexico" a piece written by an Irishman (the same man that wrote "the Teddy Bear Picnic!). They also sang a very moving rendition...and before you laugh, keep in mind that more Irish died (locked below deck) than anyone else....My Heart Will Go On from Titanic. You might think it has been over played, but when given an intro in almost total darkness and the voice of Finbar Wright saying (paraphrasing here) it was built in Ireland and it's last port of call was in Ireland where she departed on her maiden voyage on April 11th 1912. It then became the greatest of maritime disasters with more than 1000 lost souls and the immensity of that disaster was so clearly displayed with James Cameron's Titanic"... cue the music and lights..the men on stage looking like spectors singing in 3 part harmony. It was wonderful. I got to hear Anthony Kearns sing "Grace" from less than 15 feet away I can now die a happy woman! The way these men enjoy themselves on stage..each trying to make the others laugh and forget the words, and at times succeeding. Ronan Tynan forgetting words and making the other 2 try not to laugh, or when he started singing Anthony's part and goofed everyone up! The way they dance and in one song "the Golden Wedding" when Finbar sang the part of the wife of 50 years...let me just say that he makes a better tenor than a soprano! It was a riot. I laughed so much, cried when they sang Danny Boy and Fields of Athenry, and had goosebumps when Anthony sang Grace. It was the best performance I have ever been to even though even the orchestra got goofed up. If you have ever seen a Yankees game when Ronan Tynan sang God Bless America, or seen coverage of the memorial services at Ground Zero where he performed "Isle of Hope Isle of Fears" (about Ellis ISland and it s immigrants) then you have probably heard this particular song. It begins with a beautiful French Horn solo over soft violins...well last night it began with just the horn! The conductor stopped the orchestra, turned to the audience, and said "That was a very beautiful horn solo, but I think we'll do it with the whole orchestra playing at the same time!" The song recommenced and was enough to make most of the audience jump to their feet at the end!
I can't say enough about these wonderful singers...I would have liked to stalk them back to their hotel, but Kwea didn't think that was a good idea, so we went out for a late dinner afterwards instead. Boy, he can be a real stick in the mud about some things. Just because I had said that I was going to Ireland to stalk Anthony Kearns before I was dating Kwea and that I would get him drunk and use Viagra if I needed to....jeez! If you ever get the chance to hear or see these gentleman perform... enjoy it! I also suggest a pint of Guinness or 2 to add to the enjoyment!
[ March 14, 2004, 10:10 PM: Message edited by: JenniK ]
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Well, and you would never know that she types for a living......
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Good thing I love her...... Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Sounds like a fantastic birthday. Here's to many more!
(And Kwea is right about the stalkery thing. )
Posted by JenniK (Member # 3939) on :
yes, but at the time there were no anti stalking laws in Ireland...I checked! Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :
Happiest of birthdays, may this year be the best you've ever had!
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
Happy belated Birthday.
I love Irish music, too, and luckily there is an Irish pub right down the street from my house.
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