2010RedlandsReivew

Anthony Kearns

Redlands Bowl

Redlands, CA

June 25, 2010

Review by

Webmaster

The Redlands Bowl concert of June 25, 2010 with The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Frank Fetta, with Anthony Kearns as guest soloist, was a wonderful experience. The audience reacted with delight to Anthony's solos, as well as to the symphony's performances. I'm quite sure it will create a marvelous PBS television experience for the residents of the Inland Empire to view this fall. Please note: this will only be shown in the KVCR viewing area of southern California, and because of contractual guidelines, will not be available for purchase or distribution.

Anthony punched out nine difficult sings, along with his trademark Danny Boy, which was sung - rather than with the 60 piece orchestra backing - with a sole piano played by Frank Fetta, to enthrall nearly 6,000 people all evening long.

When Anthony was announced for his first number by Redlands Bowl Director Marsha Gebara, the audience was perhaps a bit ignorant of what they were about to hear. Maestro Fetta beamed as Anthony took the mic - after all, it was Frank’s vision which brought the Tenor to Redlands - and as they launched into With a Song in My Heart, the audience gaped and gasped in wonder. By the end of that brilliant song, the perfect way to begin the concert’s vocal repertoire, the crowd was enthusiastic and anticipated each of the Kearns selections with great relish.

The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra is a fine collection of superb musicians who, with the conducting artistry of Frank Fetta, becomes a wonderful orchestra! Their overture – a medley of 2001 a Space Odyssey (Richard Strauss) and Star Wars (John Williams) was a powerful, energetic beginning to The Redlands Bowl’s 87th season and the audience loved it!

Between vocal sets, they presented the lovely Feather Theme from 'Forrest Gump' (Alan Silvestri) and the gently melodic classic, More from 'Mondo Cane' (R. Ortolani & N. Olivery). The gorgeous violins of More swept one away, the beauty touched the soul. Their last set, done the second half, was a vigorous, unblemished 16 minute presentation of Gershwin’s American in Paris.

This audience is quite used to excellent orchestration; Maestro Fetta has been associated with The Redlands Bowl for 30 years. His credentials are impressive and well respected. He not only conducts the San Bernardino Symphony, he is Maestro of the Torrance Symphony, the Culver City Symphony, the Marina del Rey Summer Symphony, and is the Principal Conductor for the Nevada Opera Theatre.

His orchestras are excellent, well-regarded, and precise under his baton. He knows talent, and he wanted Anthony Kearns to open The Redlands Bowl; we sincerely thank him for it.

Anthony’s With a Song in My Heart was followed by the Lanza standard When You are in Love, and the audience was totally enchanted!. His second set began with the beautiful love song from 'South Pacific,' Younger than Springtime, perfectly done and gratefully received. Anthony then began giving the background of the fourth song in the evening’s vocal repertoire. When he mentioned the name - Bring Him Home - an excitement rippled through the audience in anticipation of this powerful piece of music. As anyone who has heard Kearns sing it, one knows it is quite simply never done better.

Anthony finished his second set with Dein ist Mein Ganzes Herz – You are My Heart’s Delight. After Thursday’s rehearsal, when we were discussing the ambitious list of songs he was doing, Anthony explained to me that this is actually an aria from Franz Lehar’s operetta 'Land of Smiles', which the great Tenor Richard Tauber had made famous. I don’t remember ever hearing him sing it and it was unbelievably beautiful! It was an astonishing way to end the first half, and one which left many audience members humming until the second half began. I heard so many wonderful comments coming from behind me during the intermission, that I simply sat there on the front row and drank them all in, smiling to myself: chalk up one more for the Tenor!

The second half of the concert began with Anthony’s solos. First he belted out my favorite of all his arias, La Donna e Mobile. The opening strains of the orchestra brought the audience to immediate attention, and they were not disappointed at Anthony’s rendition; it was dazzling – spot on, decisive, strong. The Neapolitan classic which he does often and well - Return to Sorrento - came next to close that set.

Anthony’s final set of the evening began with Lanza’s Serenade from the 'Student Prince' – and as he began “Overhead the moon is beaming …” gesturing to the heavens, I looked over my right shoulder to see a full California moon beaming down upon us all. It was an incredible delivery, one which the gods obviously had approved!

After all of Anthony’s songs, one could hear enthusiastic applause and, in the beginning, a voice or two shouting Bravos. By the second set, Bravos - resounding shouts of appreciation - were ringing out throughout the Bowl after each song.

But I must note here that his entire brilliant and accomplished repertoire slightly paled in comparison to his final number: The Impossible Dream. What can one say to describe perfection? My vocabulary is inadequate to express how deeply we all were touched by Anthony Kearns singing this special song. The precise presentation of one of America’s – and I dare say the world’s – favorite songs, was stunning. The audience was on its feet at the final note, cheering and clapping and whistling -- enthusiastically shouting BRAVO, begging for more.

Anthony and the Maestro recognized their orchestra and each other, bowed and bowed and bowed – and then the Maestro moved to the piano. Frank is not only a marvelous conductor, he is an accomplished and brilliant pianist. The joining of this sole piano to Anthony’s voice in presenting Danny Boy to end the concert proved to be calculated and intelligent planning. The audience immediately quieted to drink in that song – that sentimental piece of music which is so sweet, so poignant, so touching; it brought tears to the eyes of many in the audience, as they once again surged to their feet cheering.

TRIUMPH!

The crowd was resoundingly receptive of the opening night which signaled the 87th Redlands Bowl Summer Season, and we were delighted to have been involved.

We thoroughly enjoyed our work with Maestro Fetta, Marsha Gebara, Kristi Marnell, and the accommodating Redlands Bowl volunteers; we look forward to the opportunity to do so again one day.