10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel

Subject: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: bobad
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 12:56 PM

Ten year old Jackie Evancho wows the folks at America's Got Talent with her rendition of "O Mio Babbino Caro".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPITHzdUUDk

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: olddude
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 01:00 PM

She does indeed bobad
She does indeed !!

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: olddude
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 01:02 PM

I don't thinks she smokes bobad, I could be wrong but it is a good guess

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: frogprince
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 02:12 PM

Wow!

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: olddude
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 02:32 PM

What a rotten thing to say about a 10 year old girl. I would go on but it is best I just walk away

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 03:00 PM

well I could only watch a bit.... dragged up too many memories. But yeah she has very adult voice for her young years and her breathing and Italian pronunciation were probably spot on.

I hope she continues in her love for music and that her voice (as it is still developing) doesn't suffer from the training.

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: mauvepink
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 03:06 PM

vox angelica!

mp

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 03:09 PM

Guest from Sanity posted links in this message last week, and there is some discussion of Jackie Evancho in the accompanying thread.
Jackie truly is a wonderful singer.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: DonMeixner
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 03:32 PM

Nice voice, I hope she remains grounded.

All this ensuing flap reminds of the garbage Charlotte Church endured when she was the young phenom. But Jackie wouldn't be on this show with out being pushed from behind just a little. I expect she'll do better than her 15 minutes and make several people comfortably set. I hope she suffers no damage along the way.

D

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: Don Firth
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 05:23 PM

Ye GAWDS!!

I have been an opera fan, and, hence, an admirer of bel canto since I was about seventeen. I know, I know, I was a weird kid, and this is not everyone's cup of tea. But over the years, I've listened to some of the finest operatic and classical voices in the world, live (Seattle Opera), on television (such things as "Live from Lincoln Center"), on records (big collection, almost as big as my collection of folk records), and on such things as the Metropolitan Opera Saturday afternoon broadcasts.

This little girl is astonishing! I could hardly believe that a voice as rich and mature as that could come out of someone so young!

I know the opera. Gianni Schicci, one of three short operas by Giacomo Puccini (La Bohème, Madame Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, Girl of the Golden West, etc.) usually presented together as Il Tritico [The Triptych]), and I've heard that particular aria many times before, sung by both local singers and by world class sopranos. I'm not going to be so effusive as to say that Jackie Evancho's rendition of "O Mio Babbino Caro" was the best I've ever heard, but it was very good! And from someone that young, extraordinary! Her apparent understanding and interpretation of the aria seemed quite mature.

I share Don Meixner's misgivings for this little girl's extraordinary voice, talent, and potential.   And it would be far too easy for such a beautiful and delicate bud to be ruined by attempts to exploit her talent. For the time being, she needs to be protected from those who would exploit her (and burn her out before she even grows up!) and be gently nurtured.

Fingers crossed!!

Don Firth

P. S. By the way, for nut-cases like myself who enjoy opera and classical singing, tonight on many PBS stations, "Great Performances" is presenting American soprano Renée Fleming and Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky in a program of songs, arias, and duets. Renée Fleming gives the lie to the image of the fat soprano wearing an iron bra and horns on her helmet. She's a little cutie-pie! And not only has Dmitri Hvorostovsky been declared a genuine, ordained hunk by vast members of the female species, he's one of the finest operatic baritones to come down the pike in years. A voice like dark chocolate. Check your local listings.

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: olddude
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 05:27 PM

Renée Fleming
One of my all time favorites and yes I love opera also Don

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 02:30 AM

loving opera... so did Adie from about 10 years old when I tricked her into watching La Boheme on PBS. Is what she went to uni to study. Alto all through school and mezzo in uni. She was pretty good. Those damned foreign language books and dictionaries were expensive though.

Thinking this little girl is getting an early education in pronunciation, but what about the meaning of what she is singing? Even though she is wonderfully expressive, she may not yet have the emotional understanding and input to what she sings. As she matures, takes on board the story lines and characterisations...   whoa... look out!

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: Don Firth
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 07:18 PM

I watched "Great Performances" last night. Some great singing by Renée Fleming and Dmitri Hvorostovski, solos and duets, and I liked the way that, even though they were in a concert situation, they didn't just stand there and sing, they acted things out as if they were in the operas themselves. Interspersed between the singing, Renée took us on a tour of St. Petersburg. Beautiful city! I had no idea!

####

The following are some examples of well-known, world-class sopranos singing "O mio babbino caro."

Renée Fleming.

Anna Netrebko (with translation in subtitles).

Angela Gheorghiu.

And again,
Jackie Evancho.

Even in such company as that, this young lady's voice, and singing in general, are impressive! I really hope she manages to avoid the exploiters and all the other traps, and goes on the have the kind of singing career that her gift and her talent deserves.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 07:51 PM

Really enjoyed the tour of St. Petersburg. What a beautiful city.

As to the child star, I feel some trepidations for her, as noted above. While it is astonishing to hear such a voice come out of a child, I couldn't listen for very long. Her breathing, while seemingly correct, was perhaps picked up by the mic to much or something. She seems like a very talented and grounded little girl, but this just seems like too much for such a tender age, imo.

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: GUEST,andrew
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 10:29 PM

Have to say I just don't like it, and her age has nothing to do with it.

Much prefer a natural sounding voice.

Compare http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eGQ46Y75-c

Andrew   Community Choir Director[popular and classical]

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: Don Firth
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 10:56 PM

There is nothing "unnatural" about Jackie Evancho's voice.

Natural vibrato isn't any more unnatural than complete lack of vibrato. Nor is decent breath control and good placement.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 12:00 AM

Oh well I suppose it just comes down to what one likes or dislikes.

I'm not sure how "natural" vibrato is. Most people who come to my choirs have had little or no voice training, and most sing with no vibrato or very little. In fact in my opinion vibrato does not suit choir singing because of the variation of pitch.

Coming back to Jackie, she's obviously had heaps of voice training and she's singing as she's been told by her teachers. I doubt she would get a gig with Celtic Woman! She's going to have problems singing in the school choir, unless she can also sing like the other kids.
I suppose she can always sing a solo.

Andrew

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: GUEST,andrew
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 12:16 AM

Oh well I suppose it just comes down to what one likes or dislikes.

I'm not sure how "natural" vibrato is. Most people who come to my choirs have had little or no voice training, and most sing with no vibrato or very little. In fact in my opinion vibrato does not suit choir singing because of the variation of pitch.

Coming back to Jackie, she's obviously had heaps of voice training and she's singing as she's been told by her teachers. I doubt she would get a gig with Celtic Woman! She's going to have problems singing in the school choir, unless she can also sing like the other kids.
I suppose she can always sing a solo.

Andrew

Sorry, forgot to put my name!

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: Don Firth
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 01:45 AM

I can understand why a choir director would not want much in the way of vibrato in his or her singers because this can make for a fairly fuzzy blend. But—vibrato is not necessarily the result of voice training. Lots of folks have it naturally. And some folks have too much vibrato. Whether they've had training or not.

I've had several years of voice lessons from three different voice teachers, and none of them have tried to develop vibrato in my voice. In fact, the subject never came up. I do have a bit of vibrato, but it's hardly noticeable and no more than what makes a voice sound alive and lends a bit of color to the tone (which is bass-baritone, by the way). I didn't try for it, it just happened. May have been there all the time. But most singers don't even think about vibrato. It either happens or it doesn't.

I find that a total lack of vibrato, such as that of the young woman singing "Ave Maria" in the Celtic Woman clip is less than engaging. To me, she has more of a "little girl" sound to her voice than Jackie Evancho does at ten years of age. Along with what sounds to me like she goes a bit flat now and then. With no vibrato in the voice at all, drifting a bit off-pitch becomes very obvious.

I've heard voices that lack vibrato described as "white," as in "colorless." Desirable in times gone by, and still heard sometimes in early music vocal groups. But some vibrato is heard in most voices today, in classical, pop, and folk, but not so much in rock, where tone quality doesn't seem to matter much.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: Don Firth
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 01:48 AM

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 01:58 AM

You can hear the auto-tune pitch correction in that Celtic Woman clip, not pleasant IMO.

As for the young girl, it's not the kind of thing I dig but her pitching is good and her voice is strong all round. She does sound a tad over-coached to me, hopefully as she matures and the 'young prodigy' media hoo-haa dies down, she'll settle into her own mature voice and a decent adult career.

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: GUEST,David E.
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 02:09 AM

To be honest, that kind of creeped me out.

David E.

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 02:39 AM

Creepy kid, creepy thread...

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: Don Firth
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 03:06 PM

But a voice with a great amount of real potential. That is, if she isn't run aground by people trying to exploit her.

I got the distinct impression that she really enjoys singing, and that's GREAT!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: Continuity Jones
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 03:57 PM

To me, this is a creepy little presentation. Firstly, the programme itself is pushing all the emoticon buttons, which leaves me cold and suspicious. Secondly, and more importantly, I don't agree that because a 10yr old girl sounds like a mature woman it's necessarily a good thing.

I wish her luck in this world and hope when her novelty wears off, she's not discarded for the next novelty.

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: Don Firth
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 04:34 PM

I share your misgivings, Continuity. Beyond the dangers of exploitation, considering the way she sounds now, I wonder what she will sound like in a few years, after she (and her larynx) grows a bit?

There are all kinds of permutations of vocal range and quality. Coloratura soprano, dramatic soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto, et al, not to mention the various male voices and the subdivisions therein, i.e., lyric tenor, dramatic tenor, light baritone, baritone, bass-baritone, bass, basso-profundo, as in some Russian choirs. . . .

Jackie Evancho's voice sounds like a fairly mature soprano right now at the age of ten, and that's pretty unusual. The question is, what is her voice going to sound like in a few years?

Also, she's much too young to be going out and doing concerts and recitals. That's a good way to burn out a young voice very quickly! And that includes too much voice training before she's grown enough for her voice to settle in. Mid to late teens is better—safer.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 04:46 PM

We have all the child prodigy stuff in the UK with Young Musician of the Year. Because those young prodigies are raised in a fairly insular and select group, they will be more sheltered from the ravages of commercial media. Even then, I'm not keen on the cult of prepubescents. Being younger doesn't necessarily make you better. It *might* mean that, or it might mean that you have vicariously ambitious parents. I really do have misgivings for children - or indeed vulnerable adults - who are propelled into overnight international fame. I hope she fares well.

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old Wth The Voice Of An Angel
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 04:59 PM

Further to the Young Musician of the Year, here's Lucy Landymore playing Frank Zappa's 'The black Page'. Quite nice to see Lucy in YMotY, as she's not your usual hot-house orchid, but just a regular A' Level student who likes to play drums.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcTvh3KwGOo

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 05:09 PM

Hmmmm - classical percussionists always miss the point; The Black Page needs as much balls as it does precision, but in the context of YMOTY (reducing Zappa's genious to petit bourgeoise priviledge) then I suppose it's sort of okay, but it lacks the groove!

Contrast & compare: Terry Bozio - The Black Page

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 05:12 PM

Or THIS!!!

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: Alan Day
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 05:28 PM

This little girl is losing her childhood.Looking at the Utube videos of her on stage at eight years old (one asking for sponsors).She has a lovely mature voice and is lovely to listen to, but she is being exploited.Charlotte Church had a very similar upbringing and she tired of singing opera.
She should be enjoying herself with other children of her own age and when she is older, if she wants to be an Operatic Star it will then be her choice not her parents.
Al

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 05:38 PM

"I suppose it's sort of okay, but it lacks the groove!"

Yes Sub, I agree. But it was the only piece I found on YouTube. I think she played others from her selection better. And of course I did have to root for the 'ordinary girl', even though she'd have been uber posh on my old council estate.

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 03:25 AM

Whilst Zappa originally wrote The Black Page as a drum solo (for Terry Bozzio) it underwent various developments as might be heard HERE in which the Zappa Plays Zappa entourage play it as a percussion ensemble with Bozzio at the helm followed by the glorious disco-vamp of The Black Page #2 with Steve Vai coming into duet with Dweezil in fine old style. One of Zappa's most transcendent & joyful tunes...

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: Rumncoke
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 07:16 AM

I supose the breathing might be due to anxiety but it does worry me that it is so audible - is it an early sign that all is not well with the throat or larynx?

Anne

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: Young Buchan
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 10:35 AM

Ok. Can we now pass on to the REAL can of worms which this thread title opens up: namely is there any evidence (probably 'biblical support' is a better phrase) for the idea that angels have good voices? As I understand it, there is very little scriptural account of angels singing at all, and what there is tends to specify 'loud' rather than 'sweet'.

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 10:57 AM

Well, speaking from the perspective of a mom who had 2 daughters with stars in their eyes, I can see how parents go along with child's desire to be celebrated. And it is an expensive business, so begging for sponsors is not unknown.

No one can tell from a few videos how any child's personality and character are developing.

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 11:20 AM

"I can see how parents go along with child's desire to be celebrated."

Sure! In retrospect, I believe I'd have thoroughly *loved* stage school as a kid. By contrast however, my grandmother who was sent there for all the worst reasons by her own mother, hated it and abandoned that path to work in mental health.

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: Don Firth
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 04:56 PM

Some kids develop specific ambitions really young, not necessarily pushed by their parents. A little personal note here:

My my older sister, Mary, and my younger sister, Pat, developed a strong interest in ice skating—figure skating—when both were quite young. They had seen a couple of Sonja Henie movies (three times Olympic champion and starred in about a dozen movies in the late 1930s and early 1940s) and got thoroughly turned on. My parents took them to a local skating rink, rented them skates, and turned them loose. They flopped on their little keisters a lot at first, but soon got the hang of staying upright, then one thing led to another. They talked to better skaters, and were soon agitating to be able to take lessons. Well—"Okay," my parents said, "If you're really interested in this." It was not long before they were exhibition skating in the Seattle Skating Club's annual ice show (local, amateur edition of the Ice Follies), then soon started entering competitions. And winning!

The girls wanted to go on with this. Again, a family conference. Training a figure skater for heavy-duty competition: lessons, choreography, going to competitions, especially as you move up in the ranks, can get damned expensive. Again, "Do you really want to do this? It's going to take a lot of hard work, and you'll have to really give it your all." Both of the girls said an enthusiastic, "Yes!" It was their decision. So they took lessons and trained hard, Mom drove them to and from the rink for lessons and training, and Dad paid the bills.

Mary who started skating when she was about fourteen, was a bit intimidated by some of the jumps (one can bust something if you come down on the ice really hard!), so she opted for ice dancing. No spins, no jumps. Pat, about eight, was scared of nothing and could do the jumps like a flea on a hot rock!

The upshot of all this was that Mary and her skating partner, Donald Laws, won a National Silver Ice Dancing Championship in 1948 (page 2, third entry down). Pat, won the Pacific Coast Senior Ladies' twice, and the National Junior Ladies once, which qualified her for the World Championships in Vienna in 1955 (scroll down to "Ladies," seventh place). She placed seventh overall against competition like Tenley Albright (who won) and Carol Heiss, both real powerhouse skaters.

Both girls turned professional and taught skating for a number of years, then subsequently got married and raised families.

At no time did my parents push them.

My parents were equally supportive in my endeavors, fencing early on (won a few cups and medals) and, later, music. And again, it was my decision. At no time did they push me.

So I wouldn't be too hasty in automatically assuming that Jackie Evancho's parents are pushing her. She may be doing exactly what she wants to do.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: Don Firth
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 05:10 PM

Kid sister in action:   CLICKY.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: gnu
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 05:37 PM

What a voice.

Don... she's a LOOKER!

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: Arkie
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 08:43 PM

I was impressed by her singing but also by the fact that she did not have a tendency to act theatrical and put on airs. She was a charming young girl with a sparkle in her eyes. I assume that she is getting coaching but whoever is working with her is not trying to turn her into an American Idol contender or showgirl yet.

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: bobad
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 08:52 PM

Great pic of your sis Don. Is that the rink at Rockefeller Center by any chance?

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 09:06 PM

I think this child has a bright future ahead of her and I very much enjoyed her singing BUT it did creep me out a bit too....such a voice coming from such a young human being....amazing and creepy at the same time for me.

Michelle

Subject: RE: 10 Year Old With The Voice Of An Angel
From: Don Firth
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 01:36 AM

The rink at Rockefeller Center, bodad? I think it is. After the World Championships in Vienna, a lot of the skaters, including Pat, went on an exhibition tour of Europe. Experience of a lifetime! And I know she spent a few days in New York on her way back to Seattle.

I love that shot. It really shows the kind of exuberance and joy she had when she was skating.

And--I thought I detected that same kind of exuberance and joy when Jackie Evancho was singing.

Don Firth


Don Firth