The Three Tenors Sing at Christmas

In my family a custom at the Christmas season is to buy yet another CD with Christmas music. It’s always nice to hear another interpretation of White Christmas and other traditional favorites. Unfortunately, or fortunately perhaps, when I bought this “CD” I actually clicked and bought the DVD. So instead of writing this review while listening to it a CD player I am writing the review while playing it in the DVD-RW drive of my computer. Let me say that while the sound quality is quite good on my adequate speakers it doesn’t sound anything like playing it on my SONY HDTV. But this is a review about the DVD not the electronics.

The three tenors in question are who you they think they are—Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and the new memorable Luciano Pavarotti who died this past summer (September 2007). This was one reason I decided to buy this particular item. Someone remarked when he died at the young age of 71 that at least we have all his recordings.

He looks remarkably healthy in this video concert taped live at the Konzerhaus in Vienna Austria on December 23, 1999. The three tenors are accompanied by the Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen Children’s Choir and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

The first two selections, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and Let It Snow, are comfortably familiar and are sung by the all three as a medley. But what the listener gets is the transformation of light holiday fare into semi-operatic interpretations. Very delightful. These two selections are followed by Oh Tannenbaum, the traditional German carol, and Ay! Para Navidad.

Pavarotti sings the Italian traditional Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle followed by Jose Carreras interpreting the popular holiday selection Carol of the Drum. Next, the tenors return to collaborating in a medley of Ave Marie, Dolce Maria and Brahms’s Wiegenlied. They turn jovial in a nice rendition of Jingle Bells. Children of Christmas, not often heard, is inspiring. The trio slide effortless into the Spanish La Virgen Lava Panales and the always appropriate I’ll Be Home for Christmas.

Pavarotti and Carreras then alternate in singing Adeste Fideles in Latin and English and are joined by the children’s choir.

There is a brief intermission as the tenors exit and re-enter the stage. The next selection is a haunting rendition of O Holy Night, a carol that demands an extraordinary range, and Domingo and Pavarotti provide it effortlessly. The ovation after seems to be the most sustained and Domingo and Pavarotti smile broadly as they shake hands and congratulate each other. Amazing Grace is next, a song sung perhaps too much lately, but with their voices it gains a new distinction.

They attempt to expand on Feliz Navidad, a song in my opinion, that belongs only to Jose Feliciano but again, it’s hard to quibble with their voices. They follow with Silent Night in several languages that makes the song meaningful again. Surprisingly it is the longest track at over five minutes. Then Carreras sings Pergaria.

They continue with a medley that includes Winter Wonderland, Strauss’ Wiegenlied, Sleigh Ride and Susani. Domingo sings Un Nuevo solo.

The last selection is another medley Dormi O Bambino and the too little heard Happy Chritmas/The War is Over by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The camera pans the suddenly still audience and it seems like the three tenors are anxious to hit the high notes in this selection. The last applause is thunderous and long lasting and the three tenors are visibly moved. Alas, Christmas 1999 was a happier time. The wars have returned.

Regardless, a wonderful album for Christmas and, whoever you are and whenever you are reading this, I wish you Peace on Earth…Pax Vobiscum.