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Post by Karsten on Dec 10, 2009 21:06:47 GMT
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Post by Karsten on Dec 10, 2009 21:07:17 GMT
and for the second she had chosen the red 'poppy' one.  |
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Post by Karsten on Dec 10, 2009 21:07:49 GMT
Here's the song list, pieces sung by Hayley denoted with an H: The Snowman Silent Night - H Little Drummer Boy - H A Christmas Fantasy Ave Maria (Caccini) - H Veni Veni Emmanuel - H Allegro from Concerto Grosso, Op. 6/8 in G minor 'Christmas Concerto' Pastoral Symphony from The Messiah The Wexford Carol Prayer - H Coventry Carol - H Sleigh Ride Interval Carol of The Bells River - H (again without high heels at the piano) Pokarekare Ana - H In Dulci Jubilo Away in a Manger - H Hine e Hine - H Gabriels Message - H Suantrai na Maighdine (Eugene, Paddy: That Virgin's Lullaby) The First Noel Little Road To Bethlehem - H Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire - H Encores: Love Came Down at Christmas - H O Holy Night - H  |
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Post by Karsten on Dec 10, 2009 21:09:19 GMT
There were well-deserved standing ovations after the first and second encore, but with hindsight it may remarked that the sound at the NCH the next night was partly slightly better. Thanks to the public as well as to the fantastic RTE Concert Orchestra  |
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Post by martindn on Dec 10, 2009 21:10:02 GMT
Great photos Karsten! Thanks!
Martin
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Post by Karsten on Dec 10, 2009 21:10:48 GMT
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Post by Karsten on Dec 10, 2009 21:11:42 GMT
but sometimes it is really time to finish   |
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Post by Karsten on Dec 10, 2009 21:12:54 GMT
Just before Pokarekare Ana Hayley asked if perhaps a few Kiwis were at the Ulster Hall, and a young couple at the left balcony was happy to respond. Kiwis at every place Roughly at 10 pm the concert was over, as usualy too soon and with the exception of three or four people only the usual suspects were waiting at the front side. Hayley was so kind to come with Gianmarco to the foyer for a short chat  |
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Post by Karsten on Dec 10, 2009 21:16:28 GMT
as well as for a few signings  despite she was obviously on-the-run, whilst Gianmarco was in charge to hold the dresses. Thanks to Hayley and to him for their patience. Of course also (as usual  ) thanks for another great concert - to Hayley, and to the RTE Concert Orchestra under David Brophy. |
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Post by Karsten on Dec 10, 2009 21:17:44 GMT
At half 10 pm both disappeared and shortly afterwards we all were with a short look back  on the way home. After this concert I was really looking forward to Dublin the next night. Seeing (and hearing) Hayley with a full orchestra is really a very special experience, in particular when Hine is backed up in 'full strength'. More about this in the Dublin thread, I suppose... Cheers, Karsten |
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Post by stevemacdonald on Dec 10, 2009 21:37:25 GMT
Here's the song list, pieces sung by Hayley denoted with an H: Hine e Hine - H How haunting. Hayley's holiday hullabaloo helped happiness hold heartily. |
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Post by mihizawi on Dec 10, 2009 21:56:29 GMT
Lovely pics, Karsten! Thanks to you and to all the people who write reports and post pics, it is a great way for the few of us who have never seen Hayley live to have at least a little part of those great concerts and performances.
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Post by grant on Dec 10, 2009 23:39:38 GMT
Thank you Karsten - great pictures as always!  Best wishes Grant |
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Post by I-H-F on Dec 11, 2009 0:11:58 GMT
Oh Holy Night has got to be close to my favourite Hymn by Hayley too.... ...Was a bit disappointed it was not recorded on Winter Magic. Me too, Graeme. That's the one song I really would've liked to see on Winter Magic. But I've heard Hayley sing it beautifully three times lately, so I'll have to be contented with that When speaking briefly to Hayley afterwards, I said it was my favourite Christmas hymn. I told her she sang it beautifully, and it was a great way to end the concert |
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Post by Richard on Dec 12, 2009 9:03:36 GMT
These two posts have been moved from the Dublin thread: Hi All. Was just searching for a non HWI review & came across this blog:
garymcmurray.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-with-hayley-westenra.html
The Reverend Garibaldi McFlurry
A Presbyter in the Church of God. Licensed to preach the Gospel and administer the sacraments. The blog of a minister serving in Dundonald, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Christmas With Hayley Westenra
Last night, I was in the Ulster Hall for the first time. Surprising and shocking, I realise that, but very true. You see, I never made it to Mannafest; have never been to a concert in it, and even missed the access all areas Flickrmeet when it was recently refurbished.
The occasion was a Christmas concert with the RTE Concert Orchestra and Hayley Westenra, supposed to begin at 7.45pm, but the rehearsals ran on somewhat, leaving the doors to only be opened at 7.25pm or so. Thankfully we had arrived early and were queueing inside the foyer, but there were many more people out in the cold for a long time. Last minute rehearsals left us slightly nervous that things wouldn't be as good as we had hoped, but things turned all right on the night.
There was a good mixture of orchestral instrumentals and items from Miss Westenra, some new pieces (to me) and some well known festive favourites. The orchestra were tremendous, with a great sound, although my favourite musicians were the percussionists, with their tubular bells, xylophones, drums, jingle bells, and the two bits of wood banged together to make the sound of the whip in Sleigh Ride.
This was the second time in 2009 we saw Hayley Westenra - the last time being in Bangor Elim. The major difference was that she had a full orchestra this time, as opposed to just a piano in Bangor, and the performance was superior for that reason.
After a packed performance (which, even with the interval and the two encores lasted less than two hours), we went through the farce of her parading off stage, waiting, then coming back on to sing Love Came Down at Christmas, then parading off again, pausing, and coming back to rapturous applause to sing her final song, O Holy Night.
For me, the only disappointment was in not getting to join in with some carols - performances are good, but to be really Christmassy it's good to sing as well, but then I'll have my first carol service tomorrow to make up for that.
It's now off to Dublin for Hayley and the Orchestra to do it all over again tonight in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, and then she's flying home to New Zealand for Christmas holidays.
One of the highlights for me was the line she finished the whole concert on:
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory Evermore proclaim.
Amen Hayley, Amen.
Graeme
PS This review is quoted off McFlurry's blog....I don't necessarily agree with it.
I think it would be a good thing if he read the reviews written by our members to see what he missed. I would hope that no one in the audience sang along with Hayley! I know I would feel cheated if I had to hear anyone intruding on her voice that way. I don't even like to hear myself breathe when I listen to her singing! |
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) thanks for another great concert - to Hayley, and to the RTE Concert Orchestra under David Brophy.
