The Complete Irish Tenors on DVD features both of the spectacular PBS broadcast concerts (Dublin and Belfast) in their entirety, including performances not available on any video release. With in-depth bios on each artist,... more » specially recorded studio interviews, rare backstage footage, and much, much more, this DVD represents the complete Irish tenors experience.« less
Genres:Music Video & Concerts, Musicals & Performing Arts Sub-Genres:Pop, International, Classical Studio:Music Matters Format:DVD - Color DVD Release Date: 10/24/2000 Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/1993 Release Year: 2000 Run Time: 3hr 45min Screens: Color Number of Discs: 1 SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 0 Edition: Classical MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Languages:English
Not really my style but if you like this kind of music, then you will enjoy this since it was well done with the video, audio, lighting, etc.
Movie Reviews
You get way more than your money's worth
Harry G. Holstine | Sacramento, CA | 10/29/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A fantastic buy! Not only do you get two complete concerts, Dublin, with Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns and John McDermott, and Belfast, with Ronan, Anthony and Finbar Wright, and a guest appearance by John, but 49 minutes of great interviews.The interviews really show each artist (Ronan, Anthony & Finbar), in a relaxed mood, as they talk about the songs they sing on the Belfast part of the DVD. As they talk, you can see them, in the background, on stage, singing the song in a soft tone. They are beautifully done, and a great way to get to know each of these talented artists. Ronan Tynan explains how the conductor, and musical arranger, Frank McNamara, speeded up the lively "Go, Lassie, Go," so it would fit their style and how the three tenors broke into an impromptu Irish jig, which triggered a standing ovation. Finbar Wright tells about his biggest "gig," being singing before a million and a half people, when the Pope came to Ireland in 1979. This was before he became a professional singer. He was a Catholic priest at the time. Kearns, the youngest tenor, relates how he started his career by winning a telephone contest to find a new Irish tenor, and then studying with the same teacher in Dublin, that helped the other two tenors. There is also a text bio on each artist, and one for the conductor also. Some of the highlights of the two concerts, are Ronan singing "The Town I Loved So Well", Finbar's rendition of "The Isle of Inisfree," from the movie "The Quiet Man," and Anthony singing a moving rendition of "Boulavogue." The three tenors, of course, sing the traditional "Danny Boy," and the new Irish fovourite, "Fields of Athenry."We have videos of both of these concerts, but this DVD, with it's improved clarity and sound, and the fantastic extras, make it a must buy item for all Irish Tenor fans, and for those who simply enjoy great Irish music."
Delightful; Emotional; Live Concerts and Interviews! Yes!!
Ruth G. Hudson | Warsaw, IN United States | 10/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just purchased this DVD last month as a little treat for our anniversary. We play the CDs of the Dublin and Belfast concerts in our car all the time; now we have experienced a closeup and delightful two evening concert in our own home! All of these four men are talented and enjoyable, along with the excellent arrangements and huge orchestras. You must have a tissue box at hand when listening and particularly watching Ronan Tynan sing about "simple child" and the "town that I love". Each singer produced a favorite for us. The shorter folk songs, plus the more dramatic pieces, produced a fine variety of the music in these two programs that held our interest from first to last notes.They're nothing quite as delightful as watching the facial expressions and a little teasing that went on here and there, plus the expressions of pleasure on their faces during the songs. We've yet to view all the interviews on this DVD, but then we just bought it recently. Truly love those Irish accents because it reminds me of my heritage!I bought one of these DVDs for a gift, and will certainly purchase more now that Christmas and birthdays are coming up! Truly hope that these performers have more offerings in the future. You won't be disappointed with the pleasure of these two fine concerts and interviews! Yes! Yes!"
This is what DVD is all about
T. Richard Clark | Gig Harbor, WA USA | 12/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"No words can describe just how good this is. Unlike movies, you will listen and watch these exceptional concerts over and over and never tire of them. The video and sound quality are superb and the voices, phenomenal--And the songs were all in English. Every part of the DVD was perfectly produced and the interviews with the 3 tenors was excellent.
Many DVDs have disappointed me, this one is worth more than I paid."
A definite favorite
Brian | Washougal, WA USA | 04/12/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD has become staple watching and listening fare in our household, from myself and my wife down through all the children to our four-year-old son, whose favorite song is now "Grace" and who runs around the house singing "...and we'll all go together, to pick wild mountain thyme" from "Go, Lassie, Go" at the top of his lungs.It is fantastic to have both the Belfast & Dublin concerts together on one DVD with the live concert dead time (pardon the pun) between selections minimized. It is hard to imagine, from the robust and polished (virtually operatic, with the exception of John McDermott, whose presentation is much more suited to popular song than to opera or lieder), that in addition to the many traditional Irish songs, some of these are modern popular ballads. For example, I find Finbar Wright's rendition of the Isle of Inisfree vastly superior to (certainly much more classically styled than) the original version actually in the movie from which it was taken (The Quiet Man). This, of course, is testimony not only to the skill and training that went into developing these voices, but also to the skill and stylistic presentation of the arranger/conductor (Frank McNamara).This is definitely a five-star production. I have to rate it four stars, however, only because the more I listened, the more I wished that the producers of the DVD (not the concerts) had included one or both of these two things: 1) a printed insert containing the poets' and/or composers' names, the stories behind the poetry, or at least the lyrics themselves or 2) the lyrics as optional subtitles on the DVD itself. I found myself searching the Internet for the lyrics to and stories behind almost all the selections. The interviews in the bonus material are a good start, but this is Irish music, after all, and every poem has a story that demands an emotional response in its own right, even setting aside the superb performances.Besides all of this, it looked like the artists were just plain enjoying themselves; as much as I enjoy the original Three Tenors (Domingo/Carreras/Paverotti), I find this much more natural and fun."
Great emotional experience
Vaughn W. Henry | Springfield, IL United States | 05/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Irish Tenors have a lot of talent and their plain spoken ways are refreshing. The two concerts and the background interviews on the DVD provide a great value for those interested in Irish music. I found several of the pieces emotionally charged and I appreciated their performance."