Few people can take on Freddie Mercury and give even an adequate imitation of the late singer's special qualities. But last night Jonathan Ansell, of the Seven Irish Tenors, did just that.
Not only did he easily reach the falsetto notes which Mercury hit with ease in Somebody to Love, but the dynamics he instilled into that song had the audience totally spellbound.
Then, with barely a breath, or a heartbeat, he launched into Nessun Dorma, which brought the audience to their feet.
The Seven Irish Tenors originated in Dublin more than a decade ago with the sole intent of showcasing to the world the finest young exponents of Irish singing.
While all but two of the tenors performing in the refurbished Dunedin Town Hall had tenuous links to Ireland, The Rose Of Tralee, MacNamara's Band, Galway Bay and When Irish Eyes Are Smiling were all part of the package.
Something changed at half-time. Whatever the tenors drank during the interval worked. After an ordinary first half, where high notes were substituted for notes a little lower, the second half was a different story, a different show, a different tempo. The tenors were simply outstanding and the audience was swept away with the musicality of the seven young men.
Opera to Elton John, Simon and Garfunkle to Frank Sinatra - the songs flowed with ease. The choreography was slick, and the women in the audience gasped as backsides were wiggled and braces snapped during some of the upbeat numbers.
No exaggeration, when Danny Boy was sung, near the end of the second half, audience members were reaching for their tissues.
Apart from Ansell, Nick Myschna was a star in his own right. The man had rubber legs, his dancing was superb.
The other tenors - Philip Drennen, Scott Garnham, Adam Hills, Arvid Larsen and Michael Quinn - played their part, taking solos and providing harmony.
The lengthy queues to buy the CDs of the tenors and Ansell was confirmation of the appreciation from the audience of a musical night to remember.
Seven Irish Tenors
Dunedin Town Hall
Friday, May 17
