| The National Concert Hall was sold out. The stage was
decorated in red and white with the Austrian flag as a center piece. The Austrian
Ambassador and his wife were guests of honour. Both the Irish and Austrian National
anthems were played at the beginning of the concert. Anthony and Kathryn Smyth (the
soprano who co-starred in the Irish Ring with Anthony) were the only two singers. There
was a Festival orchestra to back them and a group of eight dancers who completed the line
up. As plenty of stage area was needed for the dancers the orchestra was further back than usual which left more room for Anthony and Kathryn to move around during their solos and duets. The dancers and Kathryn wore Viennese costume. Kathryn a beautiful peach gown in the first half and a gold one in the second. Anthony of course was in his white tie and tails. This was the programme they sang: Kathryn and Anthony VIENNA, CITY OF MY DREAMS by Rudolf Siezynski Anthony STROLLING VAGABOND from The Cousin From Nowhere by Eduard Kunneke Anthony NIGHTINGALE SONG from The Bird Seller by Karl Zeller Kathryn and Anthony CAN THIS TRULY BE LOVE from The Count of Luxembourg by Franz Lehar Kathryn and Anthony CHAMBRE SEPAREE from Der Opernball by Richard Heuberger Anthony VIENNA MINE from Countess Maritza by Emmerich Kalman Kathryn and Anthony LOVE, WHAT HAS GIVEN YOU........... from The Land Of Smiles by Franz Lehar ENCORES: Kathryn and Anthony THE MERRY WIDOW WALTZ from the Merry Widow by Franz Lehar LET US SING, LET US DANCE (not too sure of title??) from The Count of Luxembourg by Franz Lehar Anthony was looking fit and well. He was in very good voice and seemed relaxed throughout. Himself and Kathryn have sung together many times and make a very good pairing on stage. The songs were acted out to a certain extent and Anthony's acting is becoming very polished. He came on singing a "Strolling Vagabond" with his hands in his pockets and wandered across the stage as he sang taking one hand out to gesture as the song progressed. In the duet "Chambre Seperee" he played the part of an erring husband at a masked ball eagerly encouraging a lady of his choice to go with him to a private room for champagne and some fun!!! He played this very well. Eyeing her up as she sang, lifting one eyebrow as he surveyed her attributes and then embracing and caressing her as he demonstrated some of the delight in store if she went with him. The romantic love duets were delicately handled and Anthony's performance in this area has improved wonderfully. No hint now of self consciousness, it all comes across as very real and full of feeling. Needless to say Anthony sang beautifully throughout.
He is refining his technique and his control is beautiful. Particularly effective
is his ability to sing softly and then allow the power/volume to increase smoothly and
with great effect when necessary. This adds colour to the performance and is often
missed by some who just concentrate on hitting the high notes!! The more I see Anthony in opera and operetta the more I feel it is where he is most at home. He seems to love it and the audiences love him in it. I am really looking forward to seeing him as Alfredo in October. Marie |
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