The Beginning of The End
I think Charlotte's voice was very pretty, her personality appealing, and her performance professional, but even in the beginning there were signs that her career would be short-lived. A child who's greatest ambition is to be an opera singer (and who considers herself practically one already), minus a concerned vocal coach to help her pace herself, equals dissapointment in the future. She had no trouble reaching the high notes in the classical and traditional songs selected for the concert, but she attacked them forcefully, which didn't communicate the right emotions, and wasn't good for her delicate soprano voice. I can't believe someone didn't work with her on that before sending her onto stage, and even more suprising is that the audience was nothing but enthralled. She was good, but she should have been in vocal lessons and talent shows -- not in a concert. She wanted to do it, but she didn't know what was best for herself, and the proffessionals handling her should have held her back until she was mature. Charlotte Church interested a whole new audience in classical music, she made a world record, she provided young people with a wholesome alternative to the top fourty . . . and in so doing she sacrificed herself. It didn't have to happen this way. One might also take into consideration that Ms. Church was not emotionally equipped to handle stardom at such a tender age. In an at-home interview she commented that she "didn't want it all to go to her head", but there were signs it was starting to already.