Northern Times 30/03/07
LORNA Sawyer welcomed Caledon to the Carnegie Hall, Clashmore, not only as world-class singers but as the best possible way to open the 2007 season of events and the hall's centenary year.
Scotland's Three Tenors — Alan Beck, Jamie MacDougall, Ivan Sharpe and their musical director Michael Burnett — formed the team that is Caledon 10 years ago and have achieved an international reputation. Trained as classical operatic tenors, their story tells how they formed the group to celebrate Scots songs and rescue them from neglect. They now tour the world giving stirring performances and last Friday night was fully up to expectation, in front of an appreciative and enthusiastic audience.
What better start than Michael on keyboard with Highland Cathedral, then on to the Skye Boat Song, Scots Wha Hae and Loch Lomond, amongst others. They completed the first half with a medley of much loved favourites, Donald whar's yer troosers? and A Gordon For Me included. The second half brought us James Bond themes with From Russia With Love and Diamonds are Forever, then a keyboard solo spot from the very talented Michael was deservedly and loudly applauded – the boys gave him a chance to sing himself under strict supervision!
Their programme concluded with a selection from Saturday Night Fever and McCartney's Mull of Kintyre. Their encore of Robbie Burns's The Deil's awa with the Exciseman closed a memorable evening, and stayed afterwards to chat, sign autographs, and have photographs taken with their fans.
They well deserve their great reputation as worthy ambassadors for our country with their great talent and friendliness, and would be welcomed back with open arms.
I wonder if they could be persuaded to sing some opera. That would be something and give "The" Three Tenors a run for their money! And I was not alone in that thought.
Fergus Robertson