I don’t think that’s the case, Hildy. Enchante isn’t like that, imo.
Maybe you two have a history and I should shut up?
I think Clarkson did ok and it was a youth rally. She was ok and I’m sure some of the kids/teens were thrilled. It wasn’t a great rendition of Ave Maria, imo. I like some of her songs, most, but wasn’t thrilled about her rendition of Ave Maria. Maybe because I’m not used to that version. I also can’t stand most versions of our National Anthem.
My brother’s Pipes and Drum band does a fantastic version of Amazing Grace called Cajun Grace. Not sure many would enjoy that version but I love it.
Thank you, Twink, I think we are at similar places about this. I don’t have any history with Hildy that I’m aware of, i.e., I’m sure we have never had an exchange like this, but maybe she doesn’t like something I’ve said elsewhere, I don’t know. Your wise comments are much appreciated!
After I’d watched the initial video I would have passed the thread by without comment except for the early statements from a couple of posters ala “don’t you DARE say anything critical about this performance” etc. I have to admit that when someone says (in effect) that I am forbidden to state my honest belief, that will always get my dander up.
I am perhaps more critical of the selection of Clarkson simply because I was expecting SO much better when I saw the headline about someone singing “Ave Maria” for the Pope. Having heard far better renditions in far less lofty settings, I simply wasn’t prepared for this. fwiw, I had only the faintest idea who Kelly Clarkson was before this thread - I knew she was a pop singer but had never heard her sing and didn’t know anything about what she sings.
Hildy is quite wrong imho to say that snobbery has anything to do with my reaction. I’m not an opera buff and I’ve only attended a few operas in my life. I sang in a high school choir but otherwise I have only a rudimentary musical background as a listener. I was simply expressing a personal, visceral reaction to the sound of a voice when (in my opinion) I’ve heard so much better. It is a learning experience (even at my advanced age of 48) to realize yet again how much people can differ in matters of aesthetic taste and preference. To my (untrained) ear the audio of the Barbara Bonney link I posted is far superior to the Kelly Clarkson version, but Hildy disagrees and I am interested to learn that the difference is not as obvious or at least not as indisputable as I’d thought.
fwiw, I do enjoy a lot of rock and pop singers but I guess I don’t expect them to be able to sing “Ave Maria” well and I think that puts demands on the voice that few pop-style singers can handle. IMHO.
I had no particular pre-conceptions when I started to listen/watch except that I expected it to be outstanding, among the best that could be heard in this country, so I suppose that my disappointment fed into my criticism when there were a couple of people acting here like this was the greatest performance ever. Whatever, those who find it enjoyable should listen to the Kelly Clarkson version all they like, but it sure doesn’t do it for me.