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=Summary=
By
Steve, Editor (Team USA) |
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| Myerson
Symphony Center |
| First
Set
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Tonight
My Lagan Love
If I love You
Pie Jesu
La Pastorella
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"You
are going to LOVE Charlotte Church," promised
conductor Richard Kaufman at the outset of the gala
concert to launch the Dallas Symphony's 2001-2002
season. And how prophetic his words would prove to be
as soon as Charlotte took the stage and brought her
special brand of charisma and magic to the opening
song, "Tonight" from West Side Story.
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| Second
Set |
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I Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
Summertime
A Bit of Earth
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Papa Can You Hear Me
Danny Bo
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Nodding to the conductor that she was
ready to start, her demeanor went from bubbly shopaholic to international soprano in a matter of seconds. Despite a cold that she caught on the plane, her voice was focused and powerful from start to finish. The world-class Dallas orchestra played with a bounce and verve that perfectly matched Charlotte's soaring highs and energetic gestures. "Tonight" promised that the evening would truly be special and that's exactly what was unfolding. The loud applause that followed told of a audience that wasted no time falling under Charlotte's spell.
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Her second selection, the Irish ballad "Water is Wide," was as ethereal and otherworldly as any religious song she's ever sung, except that it allowed for stronger emotions to ride at the surface of her voice. The beauty of this piece sneaks up on you and slowly grows to the point where she almost has you in tears. If Charlotte's performance here, and the crowd's warm approval are any indication, "Water is Wide" will definitely be one of the most beloved songs on her Enchantment CD.
"My Lagan Love" was next. Accompanied by harp and strings, in this particular rendition Charlotte made an effort to soften most of the higher notes (that in the past were typically punched), which gave it a more floaty feel that better framed the songs mystical elements. I could not have been more thrilled with this gentler approach and the loud applause it brought on was very heartening.
She introduced her next selection as her Nan's favourite, "If I loved You." When I first heard Charlotte sing this a year ago I was delighted beyond belief and felt I would have gotten twice my money's worth even if that had been the only song that night. Well, based on her Dallas version I can safely report that Charlotte now owns this tune for all time. The climax of the song has her stretching out the word "you" for a couple of seconds after the music stops, creating one of the most striking and memorable moments in the entire concert. When you hear this on her upcoming album you will know just how dramatic and powerful this effect can be.
Her next offering was the magnificent "Pie Jesu." You might reasonably expect this obligatory number to be "phoned in," so many times has Charlotte sung this, but somehow she made it sound fresh, as though she were singing it for the first time.
Charlotte's ever-sparkling "La Pastorella" came next and it really benefitted from the assured playing of the Dallas Symphony in keeping things bright and on tempo. Her delivery was effortless and smooth, but her facial expressions were especially animated. It was as much fun to watch her sing this as it was to hear it. Not unexpectedly, when the song ended she was able to bask in a prolonged and joyous ovation before she left the stage.
Charlotte's second half led off with "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," which I found to be rather comical, coming as it does from a fifteen-year-old, despite how brilliantly it was sung. Her phrasing was plush and bluesy, unlike anything I've heard her do. She hits some deep, non-soprano notes in a few places which don't sound at all like the familiar Charlotte. If you can get past the age thing, it's one heck of an entertaining number -- one that should also be a big standout on her new album.
Next up was Charlotte's own favourite, "Summertime." It was, in a word, exquisite. This is another one of those songs she is on the verge of owning outright, so intense is her energy and so radiant her spirit whilst performing. She's got a much broader vocal and expressive range nowadays than when she first recorded it over two years ago, so the feelings came through much more alive and heartfelt. The applause for this crowd-pleaser took a while to settle down.
Then came the very poignant "A Bit of Earth" from the musical The Secret Garden. Most comfortable and broken-in by this point, Charlotte's tone was indescribably lovely. Her use of vibrato in this song was not at all sparing, finding its way into just about every phrase, but it was nothing if not flawless throughout. Again, a hearty ovation ensued.
Charlotte's announcement of her next song took most of the audience by pleasant surprise; an audible "ahh" filled the hall when she said the words "Bali Ha'i." With a spectacular accompaniment from the orchestra Charlotte seemed to exude more charm and love for singing than at any other point in the concert, all of which left her audience spellbound. It's impossible to imagine a better interpretation of this song, until, perhaps the next time she sings it.
Her last song, "Bridge Over Troubled Water," was passionately delivered, regardless of her apologies beforehand that she hadn't accumulated all that much life experience. What came across was the empathy and caring of a young soul who's seen and felt a lot. As I listened I was reminded of Charlotte's many charitable deeds and vast desire to help the plight of the less fortunate. The finale was beautifully scaled by Charlotte's soaring voice and, without question, it brought the house down. A loud and very lengthy standing ovation was her reward.
Encore time: "Papa Can You Hear Me?" was first. Charlotte stated, humbly but erroneously, that she can't sing it as well as Barbra Streisand, but then proceeded to pull off one of the evening's most touching ballads. Her second encore, "Danny Boy," was easily more remarkable than any previous rendition I'd heard her do, and if there was any justice it would show up on a live album someday. She got another standing ovation when it was over and several curtain calls.
One terrific development in Charlotte's career was very much on display at this concert: her graceful use of hand and arm motions as she sings. Her hands are amazingly deft at gesturing and she puts them to work much more than ever with the new songs she's singing. It's quite a thrill to see her be so expressive and dynamic onstage and it reinforces the impression that Charlotte is destined to be one of the entertainment world's most riveting stars ever.
- Steve
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