Soar high

Posted by Dream on 1.09.2006

Contrary to the disclaimer, I'm not sure how intellectual I can make this blog thingy out to be. Nonetheless, I'll try my best (I used the word "thingy" already). For my first post, I'd like to rant furtively on my recent disappointment: classical crossover genre has been contaminated by pop (n. poop).

In July 2005, with her new album Tissues and Issues, Charlotte Church turned to the dark realm. This saddened me a lot. Aside from her not-so inspiring personal life, I really did love her music. Crystal clear voice soaring through coloratura notes without excessive vibratos or a pale lyric color... How refreshing it was! But alas, the Sith has claimed her.

Concerning other crossover artists such as Meav and Chloe and Westenra, I admit that they are all great singers. However, all of their voices are too thin for my taste. Although I enjoy these artists, I believe they fall short of the definition "crossover." For what is crossover? It's a genre that encompasses both classical and pop. Celtic Woman and Hayley Westenra and others are at the pop end of the spectrum, and it frustrates me when they turn amazing classical songs such as "O Mio Babbino Caro" and "Ave Maria" and many many other great arias into some squeaky (in Westenra's case) "delicate" arias. They lack agility. They lack power.

These are the days where I am able to truly thank God for giving some artists perfect voices, such as that of SuMi Jo's. Her voice is purely from heaven. Even a layman can appreciate her crystal clear and sugar sweet coloratura. And her messa di voce... So stable, so astute! Her techniques are as agile as the waterfalls and her legato beats a lark... Every song proves that she is, indeed, the best coloratura of the century. How I wish to be her.

But then again, all of our voices will be perfect in heaven. And that will be very soon. :-)