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The Tie that Binds
By Timothy DeWees
Charlotte Church at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center
September 10, 2000
[Author's note: I did not take notes during the concert, so the "quotes" I attribute to Charlotte are based on my memory and therefore should be close, but not direct.]
Nashville - Music City, USA
I wonder how many musical careers have been launched or destroyed in this city? Whether you are a musician or a lover of music, it is surely an exciting place to be. But the realization that you are a temporary tenant with Charlotte Church raises the anticipation to a staggering level.
As Rick, Stephen, and I walked into the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, known locally as "T-Pack", I tried to maintain my disaffected demeanor. After all, I've seen lots of live performances. But inside the expectation continued to build.
Rick ventured down to his seat in the orchestra section; having had the foresight to order his tickets as early as possible. For future concert-goers, learn this lesson from Rick! Rick also had the fortune of meeting a kind, elderly woman who was a regular at the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. The lady intimated to Rick that she had never seen so many young people attend the symphony. Only Charlotte could provide this bind between young and seasoned fans.
As Stephen and I took our seats, I surveyed the symphony considering the blend of musicians. The harp caught my eye and brought to mind the beautiful melody of "Lagan Love". But my eyes, heart, and soul were soon drawn to the two microphones placed side by side at the front of the stage. Trying to imagine Charlotte Church standing at those microphones made the moment surreal. I got that feeling that one has when they imagine a thing so wonderful, that they fear the very thought itself will somehow prevent the dream from coming true.
As the lights began to dim, my heart began to race. So much for my calm disposition. This is not a rock concert nor a Broadway show. Something is about to happen that is so precious, so much more. I will soon be one of the few people to hear Charlotte Church perform live. The lights now dim, the spotlight falls on the door to the stage. A man appears, gray hair and dressed smartly in tails. The conductor takes his position and with a simple movement of his hand, the symphony comes to life. Immediately, we know that this is a symphony that has the skill to accompany the voice of an angel. But that question being answered, the anticipation of Charlotte becomes overwhelming. When will she appear??
After two beautiful pieces, the anticipation was growing unbearable. The beautiful orchestral music should calm the soul, yet it only added to my anxiety. The orchestra rose to their feet and took a bow as the audience applauded. But this time the conductor did not turn to face the orchestra, but rather looked off to stage left. Could it be? The spotlight fell on the stage door. Charlotte confidently strode onto the stage, looking smashing in long curled hair and a beautiful sequined pink dress. It wasn't a dream after all. Charlotte took her place behind the microphone. But this time it wasn't on a television screen; it was before our very eyes.
As one would expect from Charlotte, she immediately dispelled the anxiety of the waiting with her wonderful talent of turning any situation into a friendly chat about life's little dramas. "This is my second trip to Nashville and I like it here very much," Charlotte shared. "But you may think this a cool day but it seems awfully hot. Back home it's like-minus something" She waves her hand backward to emphasize the point. The crowd laughed and was immediately put at ease. Charlotte has that special gift of making everyone her friend. The line between performer and audience torn down, we are a family of friends together to enjoy an evening. Charlotte binds performer and audience together in a way that makes her concert unique.
With a nod to the conductor, Charlotte launches into La Pastorella. This is one of my favorites and the sound of her voice was magical. Was it just the wonderful acoustics or has Charlotte's voice grown yet more? Stephen later convinced me that it is the voice that has grown. I was mesmerized. Next came Ave Maria. Her voice seems to grow stronger with every note. I have never heard her punch notes as she did in this first set. The impact of those notes seemed to rock the theatre. I imagined the few "professional" nay-sayers in attendance trying to hide under their seats after proclaiming before the concert that Charlotte has an "untrained voice." Yes of course, and neither does Tiger Woods know how to strike a golf ball.
Charlotte began to introduce the last song of her first set. She stood silent for a moment and nonplussed, confessed that she had forgotten the third song. As the audience laughed, thrilled by her youthful candor, she turned to the conductor to discover it was O Mio Babbino Caro. She began to explain the story of the song through the eyes of a 14-year-old. "It's a beautiful song about a girl who wants to marry. Of course I'm not ready to marry just yet (more laughter from the crowd). See this girl really loves this guy and wants to marry him, but her father is against it. So she tells her father either she will marry him or throw herself into the river. So that's the deal." Charlotte then performs the aria beautifully and turns and walks gracefully off of the stage to a thunderous applause.
It hardly seemed the intermission could come so soon. During the intermission, Stephen and I discussed various genre of music and I realized how people with such a diverse group of musical tastes find a common bond in Charlotte.
Soon the lights dimmed and Charlotte re-appears with her hair up, wearing a pastel top and glittering black slacks. She was a bit out of breath and explained that she was visiting with friends and family backstage and had to run up the stairs for her next set. She went into some detail of the problems she was having with her costume change. I'm sure most in the audience had never had a performer share all of these fine points. But that is one thing that makes Charlotte so special. She breaks all of the "rules."
She began this set with Pie Jesu. "You know", she admitted, "this is sort of my theme song and at one time I thought 'oh no, do I have to sing this song again?' But I'm past that now and I enjoy singing this song once again." The audience roared with delight. I believe the song was even more beautiful sung as a solo rather than a duet.
Charlotte continues, "The next song is my second favorite. The best song is yet to come." She introduced "Lagan Love". The Welsh singer explained that it is a traditional Irish song. "But I think half of Americans are Irish anyway. You celebrate St. Patrick's day as much as they do!" Charlotte is not only able to bind countries, but continents. The combination of harp and her voice was magical. She closed the second set with what she described as "America's second anthem", Amazing Grace. She strolled off the stage looking even more graceful and stunning than before.
She appeared for her third set look the most stunning of all. Long curls rested on the shoulders of a striking red evening gown. This is the quintessential Charlotte look, beautiful and graceful. This foretold a third and final set that was the most exquisite of all.
"Do you remember when I told you Lagan Love was my second favorite?" she asked. Well, actually I think that is my third favorite and this song is my second favorite and my favorite song is still coming." The lavishly dressed, classical soprano continued to charm the audience with child-like candor. She magically binds elegance and a youthful wit in a way only Charlotte can achieve. She then delighted the crowd with her performance of "Summertime." She then closed the set with what she described as her favorite song, Rodgers and Hammerstein's, "If I Loved You."
As she walked off of the stage the audience burst into a thunderous applause and standing ovation. The applause was soon rewarded as Charlotte re-appeared on stage. The crowd refused to stop showing their absolute joy of the performance with continued applause and much cheering. Charlotte herself had to ask the crowd to take their seats. She rewarded the applause with an encore performance of Bali-Hai. The performance ended with a second standing ovation that only ended when the lights came up and the symphony began to leave their seats.
We soon found ourselves at the outside stage door where two limos were parked. A small crowd of perhaps a dozen people waited anxiously to see if Charlotte would really appear at this doorway. I especially noticed one young girl near the doorway whose face portrayed an excitement that is difficult to describe. I noticed a TPAC employee and asked her if Charlotte would indeed exit this doorway. She confirmed that she would. I turned to the girl, "Well, very soon you will get to meet Charlotte." She literally quivered with excitement and electricity that could have lit the entire city of Nashville. I thought how wonderful to see a young girl so excited, yet not to see the latest trendy pop star or teen heart throb, but the classical soprano, Charlotte Church.
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"Mum
calls for Charlotte's chewing gum as she signs Tim's
CD." |
Charlotte suddenly walked through the door and approached the crowd with her father and manager following behind. I fumbled to get my lens cap off and begin filming the occasion. As I called to her, my own voice quivered with excitement. As Charlotte autographed my CD, her mum sticks out her hand and demands Charlotte's chewing gum. Charlotte spits the gum into the waiting hand and smiles sheepishly. The crowd laughed with delight. During this brief chat with Charlotte my camera wandered aimlessly. I promise when you chat with Charlotte, you won't be thinking about where your camera is pointing.
After receiving the treasured autograph, I began to film Charlotte with her fans. I was fortunate to capture the young girl who was so excited. As Charlotte began to give the girl her autograph, I learned her name as Charlotte asked, "J-O-R-D-A-N?" She could scarcely believe she really had met Charlotte and had the autograph to prove it. Well young Jordan, I believe that with Charlotte as a role model your future is bright. Charlotte casually chatted with her fans as she continued to sign autographs and pose for photos. Charlotte magically binds celebrity and fan in a way that seems more like old friends seeing each other again after an absence.
After every fan was completely satisfied, it was time to say goodnight. Charlotte and her father begin to walk to the waiting limo with shouts of "thank you" and "good night" coming from the crowd. Her father called out to her mum that it was time to go. They entered the limo and it slowly pulled away. Although they were leaving, the tie that binds was not broken. How can one describe this incredible bond that she weaves? With Charlotte, the answer must be in song.
No life I owe, nor liberty
For love is lord of all.
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