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The Celtic Tenors

by Jon Jackson 14th April, 2018
by Jon Jackson 14th April, 2018

Titled “The Irish Songbook”, The Celtic Tenors’ concert program nevertheless spans a broad variety of genres. Although the three singers are classically trained, their repertoire covers everything from Van Morrison’s Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? to Puccini’s Nessun Dorma through traditional Irish ballads and even Dolly Parton’s From Here to the Moon and Back. This is a trio which has performed internationally and recorded extensively (eight albums) since 1995 and their immaculate harmonies are testimony to that. The song list was drawn from their huge back catalogue as well as some new ones especially for this program. The stage presentation was very simple with three microphones out front for the singers and the concert grand piano and guitar as accompaniment. Their musical director, (a young man from Cork, whose name wasn’t provided) gave assured guidance from the keyboard and played with real feeling especially when accompanying the solo pieces.

Although they are all tenors, and share a similar range, their vocals differ greatly in colour, character and technique. James Nelson has the deeper, richer operatic voice, Matthew Gilsenan; a typical Irish lyric tenor type with Darryl Simpson providing the coloratura layer at the top. His is a voice with an enormous range and colour palette with a stratospherically high top when needed. Each tenor had his own solo feature and Simpson’s solo version of “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables was the most successful. Gilsenan’s voice is a delight, but he has a slightly awkward stage presence and Nelson’s voice is showing some wear and tear in the upper register. Not surprising after such a long and illustrious singing career. However, when they sing together, stacked in tight three-part harmony, they become one magnificent flawless instrument.

The Elizabeth Murdoch Hall was designed principally for acoustic music and this was certainly proved when the tenors put down their microphones to perform All the Fine Young Men by Eric Bogle which they originally performed at an ANZAC commemoration in Gallipoli. They also went off-mic during the encore with Danny Boy. The largely older audience was liberally peppered with people apparently of Irish heritage who hooted with recognition at the more traditional rollicking type of songs like Finnegan’s Wake, Whisky in the Jar, Spanish Lady, Marie’s Wedding and a personal favourite, Paddy McGinty’s Goat.

It was hardly a night of strictly Irish songs, and it was interesting to hear their interpretations of Simon & Garfunkel’s The Boxer and Bob Dylan’s Forever Young. Their rendition of John Denver’s Calypso was the first of several moments when the audience was coaxed to join in at the chorus, and it certainly broke the ice. This show would certainly appeal to a wide range of people and is a solid piece of light entertainment.

While the singing was of a very high standard, the pace of the show suffered with “off the cuff” comments and repartee which fell flat or simply wasn’t funny. It is easy for a show to become a bit loose after a long tour, and this one is starting to look a bit travel worn. The presentation could benefit from less waffling about the songs and more linking of the songs to create a narrative structure. A director’s hand is sorely missing here. Despite this, The Celtic Tenors will still delight and entertain audiences around Australia as they have all around the world. As they say themselves, “It’s all about the music, the harmonies and the fun”.

The Celtic Tenors are currently on a tour of Victoria and Tasmania which concludes at the Frankston Arts Centre on Tuesday April 24th. Bookings via duetgroup.com

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  • August 2022

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1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

Program Franz Schubert Schwanengesang D 957 Songmakers Australia Schubert’s last song cycle was published after his untimely death at the age of…

Free
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

A performance of cherished works and Gallic beauty. About the artists Seraphim Trio is as much a lifelong friendship as a…

$40 – $50

0 events, 2

1 event, 3

11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

Riveting passion balanced with delicate lyricism. About the artists Scottish born James Crabb is widely regarded as one of the world’s…

$42 – $49

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1 event, 6

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

World-renowned violinist Ray Chen makes his long-awaited return to Australia with some of the most demanding, impressive, and emotionally riveting works…

$65.55 – $159

2 events, 7

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

Join Flinders Quartet for the sumptuous romanticism and grandeur of Brahms, and the ingenuity and wit of Haydn. Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba -…

$29 – $38
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

Corpus Medicorum Rebirth 2022 Concert Series. Artists Charlotte Miles cellist Keith Crellin OAM conductor Program Edward Elgar Cello Concerto, Op.85 Antonín Dvořák Symphony No.7…

$10 – $60

1 event, 8

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

A journey to the corners of human experience with Schubert’s Schwanengesang. About the artists Stewart Kelly is one of Australia’s most sought-after…

$40 – $50

0 events, 9

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1 event, 11

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

Innovative arrangements, technical flair and superb playing. About the artists Melbourne Guitar Quartet have carved out a reputation for curating utterly…

$40 – $50

0 events, 12

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3 events, 14

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

$25 – $56
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s third concert of the year takes us through works by Benjamin Britten, Don Bank, and…

Free
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

$25 – $56

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1 event, 20

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

"Real and Right and True" - a celebration of the art song tradition of Australia and the United Kingdom. Lotte Betts-Dean,…

$10 – $35

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3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

The Friends of the Auburn Tower Inc presents Wanderlust, featuring Elyane Laussade, piano, and Luke Severn, bass baritone, in a musical…

$20 – $35
August 1
August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

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August 3
August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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  • There are no events on this day.
August 6
August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

August 7
August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 8
August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 11
August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 14
August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 20
August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

September 4
September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

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August 14
August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

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August 20
August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

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September 4
September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

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