By Kathryn Olsen
The Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City is a performance space intended for magnificent spectacles and Saturday night’s performance by The Tenors was no exception. This Canadian group consists of three men whose vocal stylings are remarkably different, but wonderfully compatible with each other and their repertoire spans everything from opera to country with surprising ease. I had never heard of the group before being asked to review it, but found myself caught up in the enthusiasm of a friend who has followed the group’s career for years and was delighted to see that the audience included teenagers, senior citizens, and everything in-between.
The group immediately establishes itself with a comedic stage presence by launching into “Funiculi, Funicula,” singing the flirtatious invitations to various audience members and competing for the spotlight. Soon afterwards, however, the crowd is able to enjoy the more subdued and contemplative title song to the group’s second album, Lead with Your Heart. The soloists collaborate on a stirring and nuanced rendition of “Giacamo Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma” just before intermission, then return having forgotten their operatic drama in favor of a Smokey Robinson medley. A crowd-pleaser is “Sweet Caroline,” in which they encourage the audience to join in. What brings the house down, however, is the encore of “Bohemiian Rhapsody.”
All of the numbers are powerfully blended, but each member of the group sings a solo and invites the audience into a more personal space with them. This is nowhere more powerful than in the first solo of the number. On this particular occasion, Clifton Murray spoke of having been befriended and mentored by his gospel choir conductor in British Columbia. After reflecting on how the man had taught him how to convey emotion in his music and sing with sincerity, he remarked that he had just heard that the man in question had passed away. I noticed several audience members in tears during the subsequent solo of “Sweet Little Baby Jesus” in his mentor’s memory.
Victor Micallef and Fraser Walters similarly perform pieces of profound spirituality. Micallef’s selection, “The Lord’s Prayer,” is one that he has sung since his childhood and builds magnificently from a supplication to a powerful affirmation of faith.
Finally, Walters sings a piece that he has been known for since being awarded a scholarship to perform it in Australia. While Murray and Micallef sing of hope and adoration, Walters shines with the harrowing “Gethsemane” from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical Jesus Christ, Superstar. It is a song that is cheated if the artist does not commit himself fully to the agony and conviction of the moment and Walters’ rendition is the most effective version I have ever heard.
The staging of this concert is captivating, with lighting displays to rival any rock concert and a wonderful balance in sound design that allows the audience to enjoy each individual style.
This was, unfortunately, just a one-night appearance for The Tenors, but the group promises to return to the Eccles soon. Until then, we can content ourselves with their multi-platinum recordings and various concert videos. We will certainly be inspired to follow their example and lead with our heart. And if you didn’t get to this concert, keep checking back. You don’t want to miss The Tenors.
The Eccles Theater presents The Tenors
Delta Performance Hall at Eccles Theater, 131 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
November 3, 2018 8:00 PM
Contact: 801-355-2787
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