Tuesday, April 11, 2000
Charlotte Church a classic at 14
She may sing like an adult, but her wide-eyed way is all teen-ager
By Sarah Howard
The Cincinnati Enquirer
What 14-year-old has impressed the Queen of England, Pope John Paul II, the Prince of Wales and Rosie O'Donnell? The angelic, operatic voice trapped in the pint-sized body of Charlotte Church.
A native of Wales, Charlotte's acclaimed soprano voice has been surprising audiences since she was 9. Her debut album at age 12, Voice of an Angel (Sony Classical; $13.99), sold more than 2 million copies. Her second self-titled album, Charlotte Church (Sony Classical; $19.99) has gone platinum. Charlotte also holds the honor of being the youngest performer to reach No. 1 on the United Kingdom's classical charts.
The youthful virtuoso will bring her talents to Ohio today when she performs with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. It's a rare U.S. appearance.
In anticipation of her nearly sold-out show, we recently spoke with the young performer by phone.
Question: You've performed for presidents, princes, queens and the pope, among other notables. Which performance was the most nerve wracking?
Answer: Oh, gosh. I was very nervous to sing at Prince Charles' 50th birthday party because it was such a big deal. But I think the most nervous I've been was when I sang for the pope.
I didn't know my song, and I completely forgot the words before I went onstage. Luckily I remembered them when I got out there but I messed up the ending quite a bit.
Q: You've talked with all of TV talk shows' biggest names: Jay Leno, David Letterman, Oprah and Rosie O'Donnell. Whose show is the most fun to be on?
A: Well, Rosie O'Donnell's was quite a good time and Oprah was just lovely, but I'd have to say that I liked being on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno the best. I've been on three times, and Jay is so nice and the show is really relaxed. Yes, Jay Leno was the best.
Q: Your first album, Voice of an Angel, was fairly religious in tone. Was that intentional?
A: No, not really. Those songs — “Pie Jesu,” “Amazing Grace” — they were just the songs I already knew, so that was what went on the album.
Q: Are you a religious person?
A: Yes, quite. I go to Mass whenever I can when I'm at home, and I carry my rosary beads with me wherever I go — they were actually blessed by the pope.
Q: What else do you do when you are home, which from the sound of it, isn't all that often?
A: I like to go shopping — a lot! There's a store over here called Topshop and it's great. There's not much over 40 pounds (about $65) and you can find things as low as 5 pounds. I don't ever buy designer things.
And I like having slumber parties with my friends. We sit around and drink Fanta and Sprite and eat chocolates and watch movies and talk . . . and eat chocolates. I like to RollerBlade, too.
Q: What do your friends think of your career? Jealous? Excited?
A: Oh, they're not jealous at all because I can get them backstage to concerts and loads of free CDs and free tickets to things. Sometimes they get to meet some of the famous people I meet. They love it!
Q: What about school?
A: I go whenever I can — to the Howells Girls School in Wales. But I have a tutor with me when I travel. My parents travel with me, too, so I do study.
Q: What celebrities would you like to meet?
A: Oh, there's lots. I guess Alanis Morisette, Lauryn Hill, Madonna, and especially Marc Anthony.
Q: What about Prince William? You've met his dad — wouldn't you like to meet him?
A: No, not especially.
Q: “Wills” just doesn't impress you much?
A: He's not that big of a deal over here anymore. I think everyone in the U.S. really adores him, but it's not as big here.
Q: Who does impress you?
A: Will Smith! He was so much fun to meet! And I loved meeting Ricky Martin and Elton John, too.
Q: Are you a reader?
A: Oh, yes. I just finished Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George, and it was just wonderful. It's over 1,000 pages long and has tiny, tiny print and I sped through it. And I've started it over again and am on page 250 already. And I also really loved The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay.
Q: Do you think you'll continue doing the music thing when you “grow up?”
A: Maybe, I'm not sure. I want to go to university, and there are lots of things I'd like to do. Now that I've read Cleopatra,I might want to be a historian of some sort. I'm sure I'll continue singing, but who knows.
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