ChatterBank1 min ago
What is it about Katherine Jenkins voice that leaves me cold?
Beautiful voice, undeniably, but it does absolutely nothing for me. I watched Pop Star to Opera Star tonight, and one of the contestants sang 'One Fine Day' from Madame Butterfly - not brilliantly but good enough to give me the usual goosebumps I experience when I hear that particular aria, so I wondered if Katherine Jenkins, singing the same piece, would produce the same effect. A quick trip to YouTube - and no, she doesn't - but I can't think why. Does anyone else feel the same about her?
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I cannot speak from any authority here, I know nothing about opera, but it raises an interesting debate about genres, and the appeal of artists within them.
'Pop' opera stars like Paul Potts are not, I am reliably informed, particularly technically accomplished singers, but they appeal to a mass audience who frankly don't know, or indeed care, about the difference. Maybe Ms Jenkins falls into this catagory as well - I really have no idea, but it's perfectly possible that her lack of emotion affects you in the way that Whitney Houston's absence of feeling in any song affects me.
I do believe that in a lot of famous songs - operatic and popular, the strength of the song means that an indifferent performance can sound far better than it is, carried along on the emotion of the original composition. 'Nessun Dorma' (sp?) springs to mind - anyone who can carry a tune in a bucket can sound great with that song.
But to return to your question, I find Ms Jenkins sounds perfectly acceptable, no more, no less, but as i say, I am no judge.
'Pop' opera stars like Paul Potts are not, I am reliably informed, particularly technically accomplished singers, but they appeal to a mass audience who frankly don't know, or indeed care, about the difference. Maybe Ms Jenkins falls into this catagory as well - I really have no idea, but it's perfectly possible that her lack of emotion affects you in the way that Whitney Houston's absence of feeling in any song affects me.
I do believe that in a lot of famous songs - operatic and popular, the strength of the song means that an indifferent performance can sound far better than it is, carried along on the emotion of the original composition. 'Nessun Dorma' (sp?) springs to mind - anyone who can carry a tune in a bucket can sound great with that song.
But to return to your question, I find Ms Jenkins sounds perfectly acceptable, no more, no less, but as i say, I am no judge.
Possibly off topic, but I thought she destroyed Rhydian's chance of winning X Factor with this cringeworthy duet in the final:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8O6Vqn4nNk
and for the record, here's his finest moment
http://www.youtube.co...sEDfU&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8O6Vqn4nNk
and for the record, here's his finest moment
http://www.youtube.co...sEDfU&feature=related
Sorry for the delay, but thanks for all your answers. I'm pleased so many agree, because I like opera and I thought I was odd in not liking her. I listened to her tonight singing a duet with Bernie Nolan on Pop Star to Opera Star, and I much preferred Bernie's voice even though she isn't a professional opera singer. Katherine sounded very nasal to me. Anyway, thanks again.
naomi - // Beautiful voice, undeniably, but it does absolutely nothing for me. I watched Pop Star to Opera Star tonight, and one of the contestants sang 'One Fine Day' from Madame Butterfly - not brilliantly but good enough to give me the usual goosebumps I experience when I hear that particular aria, so I wondered if Katherine Jenkins, singing the same piece, would produce the same effect. A quick trip to YouTube - and no, she doesn't - but I can't think why. Does anyone else feel the same about her? //
I think your post speaks to the differences in appeal in any art form.
What one person finds musical, funny, interesting, another finds atonal, off-key, tedious, and so on.
If you appreciate any art in any depth at all, you will always find another piece of art in the same medium that does not move you, and mystifies you as to the appeal to others.
People whom I like, and whose opinions on most things I agree with, baffle me by finding Michael McIntyre anything but a flutey-voiced prancing ninny, and Coldplay worthy of three or so minutes of their listening time, and even more baffling - a portion of their music purchase budget.
Unlike yourself, I do not find opera moving in the slightest - but vive le difference I say!
I think your post speaks to the differences in appeal in any art form.
What one person finds musical, funny, interesting, another finds atonal, off-key, tedious, and so on.
If you appreciate any art in any depth at all, you will always find another piece of art in the same medium that does not move you, and mystifies you as to the appeal to others.
People whom I like, and whose opinions on most things I agree with, baffle me by finding Michael McIntyre anything but a flutey-voiced prancing ninny, and Coldplay worthy of three or so minutes of their listening time, and even more baffling - a portion of their music purchase budget.
Unlike yourself, I do not find opera moving in the slightest - but vive le difference I say!
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