Expert: David Froom - 10/5/2004

Question
Hi,

I wanted to know what kind of technique does Charlotte Church have? Is it a good technique, because I notice that everytine she sings classical music, she has a lot of jaw tension, and she has sung songs way out of her voice, like "The Laughing Song", and "Carmen: Habanera".
And her upper range seems rather thin, and airy. I was just wondering. Thanks

Answer
I am not a singer, though I have accompanied plenty of classical singers in my day, and so have sat through lots of lessons.  And I have listened to a lot of classical singers singing classical music.

I agree with your assessments.  She has a pretty voice, and has some good dramatic presence and good sense of musicality, but her voice is not really fully classically trained for the reasons you mention.  I think she got where she is because that seems not really to matter, given her age, attractiveness, and the audience she is trying to reach.  She has not made a Metropolitan Opera debut, for example, and I doubt she'll make one anytime soon!

David Froom