Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch

Subject: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: DougR
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 12:07 AM

While in high school, I bought a 78RPM album, "The Minstrel Boy," recorded by Christopher Lynch, Tenor, with accompaniment by John Wummer, Flute, Leonard Rose, Cello, and Laura newell, Harp. He was a popular Irish tenor in the 1940's, and was a protege` of John McCormick. Anyone know what happend to him? He was a regular on the radio show, "The Firstone Hour," in the 1940's. He was born in "Rathkeale where the river Deel flows," according to information on the inside of the album cover.

DougR

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: GUEST,Ard Mhacha
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 01:57 PM

Doug, try your search engine, on yahoo I came up with a Photo of Christopher Lynch standing beside a seated John McCormack on the Piano, this was from his time on The Firestone Programmes.
Also a small item from The Limerick Leader on his career in the US.
Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: DougR
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 02:20 PM

Thanks, I'll do that. It's difficult for me to believe that as popular as he was, only you and I know who he is/was. Of course most Mudcatters were not even living when he was popular though. That could have something to do with it. :>)

DougR

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: GUEST,Ard Mhacha
Date: 03 Dec 02 - 08:59 AM

Our age could have a lot to with it, I asked my oul friend Pat[78]an authority on all things Opera and he certainly heard of C Lynch and if by some slim chance he comes up with anything I will pass it on to you.
Lynch was included in a quintet of Irish Tenors who recorded a record in the early 40s, including Dennis Day, Joseph White SR,Joseph McNally, and John McCormack, this can still be purchased on, Yahoo Shopping Music, only in the US.
The reason Lynch wasn`t well known in Ireland was because of his early
departure to the US, he was a native of Ratkeale in Co Limerick. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: DougR
Date: 03 Dec 02 - 01:35 PM

By golly, Ard Mhacha, if we keep this up Mudcatters are darned sure likely to get curious about Christopher Lynch, and maybe stumble upon a site that will give them a sample of his beautifully lyric tenor voice. Another tenor with a similar voice that was very popular during the same time period was Morton Downy (Downey?)

DougR

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: GUEST,Ard Mhacha
Date: 03 Dec 02 - 02:12 PM

Doug, An old friend passed away last year and his Neice passed on to me a number of Videos of The Firestone Programs, they are very good, all of the cream of the New York Met. What a gift. Right on Doug, there is a wee bit of class on this oul Site. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: GUEST,Ard Mhacha
Date: 03 Dec 02 - 02:37 PM

Doug, Lots of info on Morton Downey on GOOGLE, This guy was an all rounder, Singer, Film Star,and Composer. Died in 1985 in Palm Beach.Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: GUEST,Brendan
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 04:42 PM

Doug
Re Christopher Lynch - kindly get in contact with me: [e-mail]. I will give you all the info. Poor old Chris went to better things nine years ago

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 01:08 PM

Doug-
As far as I can find out, the only current recording of Christopher Lynch is on a compilation called Legendary Irish Tenors. If you want to, E_mail me at [e-mail], and I can send you a couple of photos of Mr. Lynch.

I do remember his voice (spectacular!) from the old Firestone Hour. Irish tenors were quite a bit more popular then.

dick

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: nutty
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 01:32 PM

There is a CD for sale here which is said to include Christopher Lynch

Legendary Irish Tenors

There are sound clips as well

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: Com Seangan
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 06:28 PM

Thanks to dick greenhouse and nutty for valuable information. I tried for the CD but it is out of stock. Thanks guys. You made ny day.
Brendan

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 08:53 PM

Com Seangan-
You obviously didn't try CAMSCO--if it's in print we'll get it for you. (when will they ever learn?)

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: Com Seangan
Date: 29 Feb 04 - 02:36 PM

Thanks Dick. I have written and am awaiting a reply.
Take care
Brendan

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: ard mhacha
Date: 29 Feb 04 - 04:01 PM

I ordered The Legendary Irish Tenors CD from Amazon UK and after waiting 6 weeks on my order they eventually informed me that it was unavailable.
I have had this trouble before with Amazons UK set-up, unlike their US unit which delivered other items not in the UK store, such as The Clancys live at Carnegie Hall. It may cost me a few pounds extra in postage, but the orders arrive here in Ireland in a week.

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: GUEST,Ann Breaux, French Quarter, NOLA
Date: 25 Jul 09 - 01:28 PM

I know this is waaay down the road, but I just found this site. I grew up in a town of 250 people in Mississippi, and all of our priests came from Ireland. In late '40's or early 50's, our priest brought Christopher Lynch to our town for a concert. I was totally and completely taken away by the music, and it formed my love and taste on music for the rest of my life. I can close my eyes and see and hear him now. Almost 60 years later!!!!!

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: ard mhacha
Date: 25 Jul 09 - 04:41 PM

I have a two disc set entitled Legendary Irish Tenors, Christopher Lynch is included singing, The Minstrel Boy and Believe me of all those endearing young charms, also Moreton Downey singing Where the River Shannon flows.
DougR has a copy of the set.

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: ard mhacha
Date: 25 Jul 09 - 04:50 PM

Legendary Irish Tenors can still be had at Amazon for the bargain price of £4, a giveaway.

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: GUEST,Frederick Fritts
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 01:48 PM

Christopher Lynch was a member of Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Valley Stream, Long Island, and sang regularly during mass.

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: ard mhacha
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 01:59 PM

Christopher Lynch obituary from The New York Times,
http://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/22/obituaries/christopher-lynch-irish-tenor-73-dies.html

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: Don Firth
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 02:01 PM

I can't add anything of substance, but I do recall Christopher Lynch on the Firestone Hour.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: DougR
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 06:38 PM

I just realized this thread had been rejuvenated. As ard mhacha can attest, I am a real fan of Christopher Lynch and thanks, Oliver, for providing a blue clicky to his obituary.

After posting this thread several years ago, someone from Christopher's family, a member of Mudcat at the time, PM'd me. He was the husband of Christopher's daughter. I lost track of him through the years though and don't remember his Mudcat name. I wonder if it might have been Brenden who posted on this thread in 2003?

In the early 1970's I came to know quite well the baritone who sang on the Firestone Hour, Thomas L. Thomas. I regret that I never discussed Christopher Lynch with him. Tommy moved to Phoenix in the mid-sixties and was public relations director for a Savings and Loan here. He still sang from time to time at various gatherings but not professionally.

DougR

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: Don Firth
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 10:03 PM

Time Magazine article from 1946:   CLICKY.

New York Times obit, 1994:   CLICKY#2

I also remember baritone Thomas L. Thomas from the Voice of Firestone.

And then there was baritone John Charles Thomas. I understand that he as a bit on the portly side, and some wag once referred to him as "the three little boys who sing."

One of the advantages of being an old geezer and still having a good memory, eh, Doug?

Don Firth

P. S. Also from that time, baritone Lawrence Tibbet, getting serious (from Verdi's The Masked Ball). He was on the radio a lot and was extant during what people referred to as "the Golden Age of Opera." But frankly, I think the Golden Age is still here:   Example.

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: ard mhacha
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 06:49 AM

Thank you Don for the bue clicky to John Charles Thomas singing of The Bendemeere`s stream, one for all the old timers, listen in Doug.

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: ard mhacha
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 06:55 AM

Some example, the mastero`s music performed to perfection,
Renee Fleming and Dmitri Hvorostovsky sing 'La ci darem la mano' from Act I of Mozart's Don Giovanni. Thanks again Don.

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: DougR
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 12:50 PM

Thanks for posting, Don, and about age and memory, you are correct.

Assume everyone knows that Thomas L. Thomas and John Charles Thomas were brothers. John Charles had a much more successful concert career than Tommy did.

DougR

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: Don Firth
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 04:10 PM

Brothers! Wow! I didn't know that. Thanks, Doug!

I think one singer from that era that was often underrated because he was more prominently associated with movies and musical comedy was baritone Nelson Eddy. I recall seeing him in the 1943 filming of The Phantom of the Opera (long pre-dating Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage version), with Suzanna Foster as Christine and Claude Rains as the mysterious masked and cloaked spook haunting the Paris Opera House.

Some of the opera sequences where slightly ersatz, with lyrics written by George Waggoner to Edward Ward's adaptations of music by Tchaikovsky and Chopin, except for one genuine opera scene from Flotow's Martha.

But Nelson Eddy's fine, robust singing in these scenes showed that he could very well have carried his own weight and then some on the opera stage.

Good, rich, full baritone voice.

Couldn't find any examples of his singing in Phantom except this short bit at the end of the trailer for the movie:   CLICKY. Doesn't really show how good his singing was in the movie.

Don Firth

Subject: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: GUEST,Joy In Motion
Date: 15 May 10 - 08:53 AM

May 2010
2 videos of Mr Lynch singing at Carnegie Hall have been uploaded to You Tube. enJOY

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: austyc
Date: 16 Sep 10 - 08:10 PM

Hello Doug,

You are correct - it was Brendan who posted in 2003. His MudCat name was Com Seangan - a name of a beautiful lake up in the Comeraghs in Co. Waterford. Brendan, my Dad, died unexpectedly but peacefully last May.
However, thanks to his efforts and the efforts of the Rathkeale Community Arts Group (the village where Christophern came from), there will now be an official plaque placed on his birthplace - and a CD will be released in the near future.

Rgds,

AC

Subject: RE: Irish Tenor, Christopher Lynch
From: GUEST,HelenR
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 06:56 AM

Hi Ac

I remember very clearly your aunt, Rosaleen singing "where have all the flowers gone" back in the early 70's. I was about 6 or 7 and she was a hippy teenager! We were in my parent's car driving through southern ireland somewhere. She has and presumably still has a lovely voice!

Helen Reilly