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Summary
By
Rachel (Dedicated Viewer and Fan) |
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| Rachel
outside of the Pennzoil Building |
The Independent
published Charlotte's diary from the past week
of her USA Tour and since Houston marked the intermission
of her tour for a week we've published it here:
First of all, I have to say what an awesome time I had at the concert, and also thanks to this website for all the cutting-edge information. Thanks also to my cousin Craig who got us tickets to the concert and reception.
This four thousand-seat concert was sold-out long before the concert date arrived, and I didn't see a single empty seat. The audience varied so much it was incredible ranging from a three or four year old to many senior adults. There were plenty of representatives from every generation.
We had arrived early, and it was interesting to hear people discuss the upcoming concert. A few minutes before it started, literally hundreds of people had their programs turned to Charlotte's bio, and were staring at it.
About five minutes before the show started, I was lucky enough to see through the open doors onstage, Charlotte and her dad scurrying around. (Our seats were directly in front of and level with the spot Charlotte would be.)
The lights blinked and went out, and four thousand people fell silent waiting expectantly. When the orchestra finished a brilliant piece, the audience clapped, and the conductor said, "We have just played for you selections from 'The Sound of Music'. And now we will continue that sound of music with our stunning guest soprano Charlotte Church!"
The audience clapped politely, and Charlotte entered wearing her purple sleeveless top from the Brit Awards, and a multi-colored skirt slit up the side. Her sandals were clear with high heels. Her hair was lighter than I expected and was arranged around her shoulders. It was straight with her bangs pushed to the side.
Charlotte plunged right into "Tonight". One thing that struck as she sang was how much more expressive she was than on
TV or her videos. She was perfectly warmed up and hit every note with clarity.
When she finished, she said, "Welcome. I am so glad you're here. Made it through the storms and all… I know how it was. I was watching it rain this afternoon and I was like oh, please stop raining… My hair will be all dirty for tonight and I want to be pretty." (Brought laugh) "The song I just sang was 'Tonight'. I thought it being tonight and all… It's a great honor to be with the fantastic Houston Symphony." (Turns and applauds them. Audience claps too.) "And I am finally going to get this right-Mastro Mariusz Smolij." (Applauds him also.) "The next song I am going to sing is 'Amazing Grace'. I think it's like the second anthem of America." (Audience laughs again. They're warming up to her now.)
With that, here was 'Amazing Grace'. It was so much better than on the Voice of an Angel. Her voice is so much stronger and clearer now. When she finished, everyone was nodding their heads and
applauding. "The next song I am going to sing is 'Pie Jesu'. When I go to give a concert, we send them this huge list of songs to choose from, and they always say, Charlotte, could we please have 'Pie Jesu'?, Charlotte, you must do 'Pie Jesu' for us. And I am like not again." (rolls eyes.)
In 'Pie Jesu', all the high notes were very clear, and I could feel them vibrating through the hall. It was beautiful as she put a lot of emotion into this song. She acknowledged the applause with a curtsy and exited.
Then the orchestra played something from Brahms, I believe. I was having trouble understanding the conductor, and there was no list of the music in the program.
Charlotte returned-no costume change. "Tonight I am going to say this is my favorite, this is my favorite, this is one of my favorites, so they're all my favorites! I am going to sing 'La Pastorella'. It's about this girl who gets up like at six o'clock in the morning-not like me at all (Audience laughs.) and she's picking flowers. And then these boys come along, and she starts flirting - not like me at all!"(Audience laughs again.)"But, but she tells them I only have eyes for one of you. So that's what the song is about."
'La Pastorella' was so much more interesting live. She acted the song out to a degree that would put an actor to shame. She acted all flirty, batting her eyes, pointing at the imaginary boys, and holding one finger up to signal she only had eyes for one. She performed the Ahs with a flourish and I think anyone who wasn't a Charlotte fan yet became one. The applause was uproarious, and she wrung her hands, curtsied, and put her hands up to stop the audience.
"Now I'm going to sing an Irish song, because half of Americans are Irish. I'm a quarter Irish, I am eighth Irish, Does that count?" (Audience laughs appreciatively.) "It's called 'My Lagan Love'. I have known it for a really long time. Well, I have only known it four years. That's not really a long time. What I mean is---it's a long time for me, and I've had lots of practice."
This song is one of my favorites, and her motions fit the song to a t. She did a really good job with all the charms and trills.
She waved when the song was through and left. Now we had intermission, and I got a chance to really listen to what people were saying.
"She's only 15?!" "Amazing!" "I can't believe this."
"Incredible the voice she has for her age. To believe she'll get up there in front of a huge audience, and SING!"
"Lots of power." "Her sense of humor is quite becoming."
"What gets me is that she picks notes right out of the air, and they're perfect every time."
I made friends with the older lady sitting next to me. She was having a great time. She told me she had all of Charlotte's cds. Her son had gotten her tickets for her birthday, and that getting to see Charlotte was the best birthday present ever. She was having a wonderful time and so was I.
Finally, the intermission was over, and the orchestra played a string of waltzes by Richard Rogers.
Charlotte came in a stunning outfit of a gold, glittery, sleeveless, top and black spangly pants. She had on black sandals almost exactly like the first pair. "This song is new to my repertoire. It's a little bit out of character, so I am kinda nervous about it. Help me out with the words because you all know it. It's 'Bridge Over Troubled Waters'." (Ohs and ahs from audience.)
This one was very suited to her, and she performed it beautifully. It was a little bit popish, but still quite classical. She did appear nervous, not really at home with this song yet. She was concentrating very hard on it and stared at the floor during the middle part.
The applause was the best yet, and she was, I think, surprised at the reception of the song.
"Before I came here, I was in West Palm Beach. In Wales it rains all the time, and I was so happy when I got there, and it was so sunny! So I spent hours on the beach, and you can see the results! (Rubs arms and shoulders which were very pink!) So when I got to Houston, I was like OUCH! The next song is my Nana's favorite. She told me, Charlotte, when you go to America, you have to sing my favorite. And it is 'If I Loved You' from Carousel." (More oos and ahs.)
She really warmed up to the song during the last half with lots of emotion and expressiveness. This applause was great, and she left with a huge smile.
Then the orchestra played some Spanish dances by a Russian composer.
When she returned for the supposed to be last time, she was wearing a pink skirt,a pink top with gold fringe,and pink strappy heels. "This song is from Porgy and Bess and it's called 'Summertime'. This is my second favorite and my favorite is still to come."
'Summertime' was stunning as always, and I was so pleased to see her sing it for it's one of my favorites. It was flawless except for the last note was not held as long as normal. It was still chilling though.
"This next song is from a relatively new musical. It's still on Broadway, and called 'The Secret Garden'. This song is new to me so I am nervous. Here's 'A Bit of Earth'."
I had not heard this song before and I was impressed. She was so emotional and sang the song so beautifully. All I have to say is I loved it.
"This song is my absolute favorite. 'Bali Hai' from South Pacific."
With that she sang her favorite song, while it became one of mine. This song sounds like she has known it forever, and all the notes hung in the air. I can't really describe how it was. They just hung.
The audience realizing this was it jumped to their feet and clapped like few have clapped before. She smiled, bowed, and smiled some more. Then she left. However, she barely got through the door before she turned around and came back. The audience clapped louder than ever, but began to take their seats when they realized she wanted to say something.
"Thanks so much. I will sing 'Danny Boy' because like I said all Americans are Irish."
'Danny Boy' was so thrilling because of the emotion from the audience and the emotion she put in to it. I didn't take notes on this song because I just wanted to enjoy it.
When she was done, I think Dave was the first on his feet! I wasn't far behind. Now is when the cheering and clapping really got so loud, she looked as though she couldn't believe it! She curtsied, smiled, applauded the orchestra, and left.
This time she was gone a lot longer, and the audience kept on cheering. Then she skipped-yes, she did skip!-back and whispered to the conductor. Everyone knew then she would sing one last time. Everything got so still and quiet.
"Because you have been such a great audience I will sing one more song. You have laughed at all my jokes, you clapped for me, thanks you so much. But this is your last, last, last, last, last, song. Then I am going home!" (Audience laughs.) "I am going to sing 'Pie Jesu' again because it is my theme song kinda. Thanks again to the orchestra. (Applauds them.) And I'm not going to try to say his name again. Thank you Mastro! (Applauds him.)
I've already said everything there is to say about 'Pie Jesu', but this time I think the audience appreciated it more.
The audience was on their feet before the song had completely died away, and Charlotte took her final bows with the conductor and left for good.
After the concert, we headed over to the reception. The reception was held in the lobby of the Pennzoil building. The lobby was nicely decorated, and there was punch, champagne, and all sorts of desserts.
Shortly after I arrived, Charlotte arrived. She was wearing a purple short sleeved sweater, black pants, and had a plaid backpack.
I thought they would form a line, but everyone just gathered around Charlotte, pushing and shoving for autographs. She was only there a little while, maybe 15 minutes, and only a few people got autographs or pictures with Charlotte. I was one of the last people she signed an autograph for, and she scrawled Charlotte Church across it and headed out to the limo.
I have to say, Charlotte did fit a lot of people in, but I think the Houston Symphony should have organized it more.
I got to see Charlotte up close, and I realized she was as gracious with fans as had been said.
The
evening was over. But it left behind memories that would
stay. And that evening had a little magic for everyone in
it.
All the quotes of Charlotte are very close if not completely accurate. I took extensive notes during the concert so as not to forget anything.
- Rachel
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