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Post by Richard on Dec 9, 2009 8:56:33 GMT
Thanks Karsten!  I'm pleased to see that Hayley sang fifteen songs, and I like the photograph. Now I can't wait to see her again at the Barbican!  Best Wishes, Richard  |
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Post by Karsten on Dec 9, 2009 15:05:01 GMT
Hello again, Here are a few pictures from the first half...  |
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Post by Karsten on Dec 9, 2009 15:05:58 GMT
...the second half...  |
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Post by Karsten on Dec 9, 2009 15:06:56 GMT
and another one from the signing:  Best wishes from Dublin, Karsten |
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Post by Richard on Dec 9, 2009 15:47:18 GMT
Hayley's latest tweet, about two hours ago: Richard |
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Joe
Administrator
Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,715 
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Post by Joe on Dec 9, 2009 16:11:58 GMT
Hello Karsten, Thanks very much for your report and the glorious photos! Joe PS. Happy Birthday Karsten  |
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Post by comet on Dec 9, 2009 16:36:24 GMT
Hayley's latest tweet, about two hours ago: Richard Hayley did mention the need to do a bit of Christmas shopping at the Dublin concert last night, I wonder how Hayley keeps up, all the traveling, sound checks, concerts, signings, I only went to two concerts and I need a week off to recover from the schedule.  Maybe it was the staying up late with other HWI members and the drinking The National Concert Hall was packed and Hayley got several standing ovations, Hayley and David Brophy the conductor seemed quite pleased at the crowds final applause. The signing was announced over the PA after the concert and hundreds of people waited back to have things signed. I imagine all that signing is quite hard work, a bit like getting a hundred lines even though she ain't misbehavin'. Thanks Hayley, sorry I had so many items for you to sign.. There were lots of familiar faces in the audience, some were HWI members some were not. Some may join soon. For me, Veni Veni Emmanuel was the highlight of the evening, I was about 8 feet away from Hayley during the concert and it was pretty spectacular to watch the physical work and effort that Hayley puts into this Mediaeval song. . Little Drummer Boy is another of my personal favourites. The better photographers were are at the concert, so I will leave it to them to post pictures. |
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Post by mihizawi on Dec 9, 2009 16:54:51 GMT
For me, Veni Veni Emmanuel was the highlight of the evening, I was about 8 feet away from Hayley during the concert and it was pretty spectacular to watch the physical work and effort that Hayley puts into this Mediaeval song. . Little Drummer Boy is another of my personal favourites. Lucky you to have been so close from Hayley while performing... That has to be a very impressive sensation. About Veni, Veni Emmanuel, yeah, it is one of the songs that have impressed me most from Winter Magic... It must be hard for anyone to get that medieval-sounding technique, but even more for her, she has never done that before. |
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Post by Mark on Dec 9, 2009 18:30:09 GMT
Hi Karsten
Thanks so much for your very prompt posts of the photos that you took last night - Hayley looks lovely both on stage and at the signing. Looking forward to seeing more.
Regards
Mark
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Post by grant on Dec 9, 2009 18:33:19 GMT
Hello everyone!
Well I'm back after a fantastic concert in Dublin, but off out again in an hour or so, so my report will have to wait until tomorrow.
Thanks Comet and Karsten for the initial comments and Karsten for the pictures. I found the photography very difficult last night - the NCH staff had the signing set up like a military operation and it was difficult to get as close as I would have liked.
May have a few worth posting. Again will have to wait until tomorrow!
Best wishes
Grant
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Post by Mark on Dec 9, 2009 18:33:58 GMT
Hi Comet Thanks very much also for your swift report of events. It sounds as though you had a few things for Hayley to sign last night and why not  It sounds as though Hayley was very well received by the audience and she repaid that reception with a relaxed signing session. So pleased that you had a great time. Best wishes Mark |
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Post by graemek on Dec 9, 2009 20:43:29 GMT
For me, Veni Veni Emmanuel was the highlight of the evening, I was about 8 feet away from Hayley during the concert and it was pretty spectacular to watch the physical work and effort that Hayley puts into this Mediaeval song. . Little Drummer Boy is another of my personal favourites. Lucky you to have been so close from Hayley while performing... That has to be a very impressive sensation. About Veni, Veni Emmanuel, yeah, it is one of the songs that have impressed me most from Winter Magic... It must be hard for anyone to get that medieval-sounding technique, but even more for her, she has never done that before. Many Thanks All for the pics & reviews so far.....I thrill when Hayley is treated to standing ovations.   Last time I looked at I-tunes, Veni Veni E. was no. 1 download seller so I'm really glad she made a point of performing it....to perfection ....obviously. Graeme |
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Post by timj on Dec 9, 2009 23:02:10 GMT
Karsten, Thanks for the review and pictures..............
Thanks for the review Paul..............TimJ
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Post by grant on Dec 10, 2009 11:35:51 GMT
My ticket for this concert has been booked since 23rd December last year, so it has been on my Hayley calendar for almost a year. Now, it has come and gone but what an experience. The set list comprised a little bit of everything from Hayley – a few from her traditional concert set; some new ones and two that I haven’t heard her sing since “Christmas Presence” in Sheffield – exactly 3 years ago on December 8th 2006. But hey! I’m getting ahead of myself so, lets get back to the beginning.
I actually flew over to Dublin the day before the concert, arriving in the city at teatime. George graciously met me at the coach stop and pointed out the National Concert Hall on the way to the hotel. We called in briefly for me to print and collect my ticket and to see if there are any flyers for the concert but they’ve apparently all gone.
Spent a very pleasant evening with George and Denise talking all things Hayley; photography; moving house; goddaughters and granddaughters – even found time to have dinner at O’Neill’s! but it felt very strange waking up on Tuesday morning with no happy thoughts of Hayley which really seemed to intensify my anticipation of tonight’s concert.
After breakfasting with George and Denise, I set off to explore the LUAS tram system, one line of which runs right past the hotel. By early afternoon I had found my way up to Connolly and was stood at the tram station there when I heard my name mentioned! It was Conor (Irishhayleyfan) and his friend Dina on their way to visit the Guinness brewery – small world when you’ve got your avatar up at HWI!!
By 2pm I’m back at the NCH to meet up with George and Denise and anyone else who has a mind to join us with the hope of seeing Hayley arrive for her sound check. Well, I saw both Hayley and Gianmarco going into an adjacent hotel but neither saw me and I wasn’t about to yell across a busy four lane road! Did meet up with Thomas and Karsten but by 4pm we decided to return to the hotel. Good job we did as I noticed that Hayley had tweeted the following at 5.50pm
Our numbers had swelled to 8 by dinner time with the addition of Paul (Comet), Glenda and Joyce. Larry arrived just as we finished eating and the 9 of us made our way along to the concert hall for Hayley’s concert where we met up with Paddy, Connor and Deana. Eventually (it must have been almost 7.45pm) the auditorium doors opened and we are allowed in.
Although on row B this is actually the front row as row A seats are so close to the extended stage they are unusable. With our little group comprising myself, Larry, Paul and Glenda sat immediately in front of Hayley’s microphone, she should see us easily. Not long to wait now …….
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Post by grant on Dec 10, 2009 13:25:01 GMT
Karsten has already published the full set list but at some point it will be worth posting scans of the “Notes” from the programme which provides a background to each of the instrumental pieces/songs included in the concert – the first time I have seen this done.
For the first half of the concert, Hayley wore her dark blue three-quarter length dress with her grey platform shoes. Despite the many many times I’ve seen Hayley perform, only a very few have been with an orchestra, so it’s a real treat when this type of concert comes along.
For most of the time, Hayley sang just two songs between orchestral pieces; the only exception being once in the second half when she sang three which, in a way, made it seem a little disjointed as I’m used to seeing Hayley perform longer sets. It was clear though, that the audience were enjoying every minute – sometimes it seemed the applause was just going to go on and on. Highlights for me were “Little Drummer Boy” and “Veni Veni Emanuel” – the first because it works so well with an orchestra and the second because I just love it so much the way Hayley sings it with such passion.
I was surprised but delighted that Hayley chose her red Valentines/Poppy dress for the second half – I suppose red is very much a Christmas colour though – with her black platform shoes and with the addition of the same black feather hair grip that she wore at Tewkesbury. When I saw “Carol of the Bells” as the opener for part two of the concert I had hoped it might be Hayley but it was, in fact, the orchestra and I have to say that it was probably my favourite of all the pieces they played.
Hayley’s first number was, of course, “River” which she played at the grand piano once she had removed her shoes. From where we were sitting I could only see the top of Hayley’s head above the piano and from the waist down below. It seemed a bit impolite to watch her knees as she manipulated the pedals so I concentrated on the expressions of the orchestra who were enjoying a break in their own playing.
For Hayley’s second set in this part of the concert, she sang three songs, two of which we don’t hear her sing very often “Away in a Manger” and “Gabriel’s Message” the latter being a particular favourite of mine but it was in this set that an amusing incident occurred! Hayley had just finished her preamble to “Hine” explaining that it is a Maori love song about someone calling to their loved one across the sea when someone blew their nose rather loudly! Hayley smiled mischievously and, quick as a flash, responded with a giggle “That won’t work!” Laughter all round and a round of applause but a fully composed Hayley gave us one of the best orchestral versions of “Hine” that I have ever heard.
Hayley’s final set included another of my favourites “Little Road To Bethlehem” I lost count during the concert how many times our eyes met but during this particular song it seemed to last for several seconds. Hayley concluded the programme with “The Christmas Song” and swirled off stage to thunderous applause that, once again just kept on.
Hayley returned to stage and waited for the applause to die down. “Would you like another one? We do have one rehearsed”. More applause. This first encore was “Love Came Down at Christmas” and it very deservedly brought the house to its feet as Hayley left the stage once again. It was clear though, that she would have to return, and she did.
“You want another one?” enquired Hayley. I think she already knew the answer and there was still one very lonely piece of music on the shelf beneath the conductors table. Hayley turned to him and nodded and the last piece of music now sat open on the conductors table. I couldn’t have predicted a more suitable carol to close the concert. “O Holy Night” sung as a solo with orchestral backing must be one of the most spine tingling of all the Christmas hymns. It wasn’t until my lungs began to hurt that I realised I was holding my breath!
This was Hayley at her absolute finest and after two demanding concerts she had still managed to put everything she had and more into that final song. Not a single person in the audience had failed to notice that I am sure and I don’t think I have ever seen a more spontaneous standing ovation than the one that followed as the last notes of the concert died away. Hayley returned to stage for a third time to take yet another bow and acknowledge the appreciation that we were all bestowing upon her.
I was so thrilled for Hayley. I can only imaging what she must have been feeling at that moment. A standing ovation is the highest accolade and audience can show a performer and Hayley had had two (although someone tweeted there had been four). I think the applause would have continued as long as Hayley remained on stage so, with a gentle curtsey, a smile and “Happy Christmas everyone”, Hayley left the stage for the last time.
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Just got back from Grafton St -it's gotta be done! x
