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Post by gareth on Dec 26, 2004 23:43:42 GMT
Hi All, This is perhaps a little Off Topic - but seeing that Hayley recently performed with Andrea, I can't resist the temptation of offering this to you. If Hayley had to wait until she was 17 before she got to perform with Andrea - where did Andrea locate this sweet and charming young lady? Young Classical Performers has a very special Christmas present for you indeed. It's 12 year old Holly Stell, in duet with none other than Andrea Bocelli. And this is a very moving performance indeed of a new Andrea song, Go Where Love Goes. It's a song from Andrea's newest album, simply titled Andrea. The video is from an Ice skating special, Tribute on Ice - and really, this is a sensational, exquisitely beautiful duet between Andrea and the extraordinary talented Holly. I was deeply, deeply moved by it - and I can only encourage you to download this remarkable performance. The skater on the video is Ekaterina Gordeeva - and she substantially adds to the visual delight. I think Holly Stell is a name to remember. Thoroughly, thoroughly recommended. You can download the video from: groups.msn.com/YoungClassicalPerformers/miscellaneous.msnwbut here's also a direct link to the download www.classicalrelatedperformances.com/miscellaneous/gowherelovegoes.wmvEnjoy a truly magical duet! Gerrit
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Post by Natasha on Jul 15, 2005 23:08:17 GMT
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HWI
Administrator
For Hayley Fans Everywhere
Posts: 865
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Post by HWI on Jul 16, 2005 0:09:20 GMT
And for anyone who would like to see it, here is a picture of Holly Stell:
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Post by portia on Jul 16, 2005 3:24:04 GMT
Ok, no matter how much talent she possesses, she should not, at twelve be singing queen of the night.
No, not at all. It is incredibly stupid and idiotic to do so. And I'm retty serious. I myself am training to be coloratura and began training at eleven. My teacher gave me coloratura then, but it was lightweight coloratura like Christine in Phantom. At twelve, you simply do not have the abdominal muscles or the stamina to hold Queen of the Night to perfection. And to do so would be severely killing your voice. If Holly knows whats good for her, wait a couple of years. Sing high songs, but sing high song that don't yet require crazy athletic stance. I suggest she start off with Vissi D'arte or something.
I also think we should wait a few years before deciding whether Holly is really talented or not. At twelve, when you're susceptible and malleable, its very easy to do whatever people tell you. And by watching the video, I believe she is consciously stretching her voice to do what shouldn't be done, much like Charlotte Church did. Unless she's using the Bel Canto method of course, but she is not, and pure bel canto training is hardly to be found nowadays.
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HWI
Administrator
For Hayley Fans Everywhere
Posts: 865
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Post by HWI on Jul 16, 2005 10:47:15 GMT
I must admit that I agree with portia. At 12, the voice is very tender and, like any precision tool, must be cared for and treated with great respect.
I felt that this song was a few years beyond anything Holly should have been attempting. The promise is there. But, if used on the wrong pieces, it will not be so for long. At her age, and for the next few years, if her voice is damaged by singing inappropriate material, she could find that it is permanent.
Charlotte's problem was similar but, was down to her own strong will and a weak willed teacher. Regardless of what she says now - about being pushed into doing the type of songs she did - she was very much the driving force herself. Louise Ryan is on record as saying that Charlotte would come to her and say she wanted to sing a certain piece. Louise would tell her she was not ready to do so. But, Charlotte would insist, and Louise would give in and let her.
As singing at this level is a matter of discipline as much as anything else, this would have been the ideal opportunity for Louise to reinforce that discipline and refuse to permit it. And be totally unmoving on it. Charlotte's major problem was, and still is, that she is too headstrong and got her own way too easily.
Keith.
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Post by BarefootSoprano on Jul 16, 2005 14:35:37 GMT
In my opinion, the bel conto method is the only way to go...lol. I was extremley luck to find a teacher here where I live that teaches the mothod...and he teaches EXTREMELY well. He is always not letting me do stuff beacuse he says my voice is not ready. I mean, why do something now, when you could hurt your vocal chords, rather than later when you can do it the rest of your life... that's all from me now folks...lol- Kristyn
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Post by portia on Jul 16, 2005 15:37:23 GMT
Another thing. I thought the Andrea Bocelli duet was pretty ill matched. Most of the time I could not hear what Holly was singing. Even when she was singing, I couldn't hear what she was singing. Understandable. Holly is TWELVE. For God's sake, don't pair her with grown men where she will feel the need to have to project her voice beyond her limits.
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Post by Natasha on Jul 17, 2005 1:03:57 GMT
You can't put all children in the same hat. Some voices develop at an incredibly fast rate, others do not, for instance with Kristyn who posted here. Her teacher knows that some pieces are to hard for her right now, but these same pieces might be a breeze for Holly. Likewise, pieces that may be super easy for Kristyn might be difficult for Holly, that's because each and every voice is unique and devlops differently! About Charlotte Church, I think she was well capable of doing all the music on her albums. She did strain on "Phantom of the Opera" which she sang with Peter Karrie, and she didn't even attempt the high E at the end. And she, or perhaps her teacher, had the good sense to know not to repeat this number again. Perhaps here lies the real reason for her rejecting the role of Chrisine in the "Phantom of the Opera." But back on the subject of Holly. Yes, it is true that the MAJORITY of 12-year-olds can't sing "Queen of the Night" and shouldn't even try to attempt it but we shouldn't decide whether Holly can handle the aria or not until we've actually heard her sing it. Its completely unfair not to give her at least an unbaised listen. The duet with Andrea Bocelli was lovely although his mike volume was set to loud - the same as it was in his recent duet with Hayley. He is naturally louder as he is older and is voice has developed completely so they really don't need to make him any louder than he already is! lol. When Russell Watson sang with Hayley he was quite the gentleman and he held the mike away so you could hear both of them - not to say that Andrea isn't one. But whoever is in charge of the mike levels should learn to make them equal, especially in Holly's case as she is so young. I think Holly is a promising talent and I look forward to buying her album! [glow=red,2,300]Hugs, Natasha[/glow]
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Post by portia on Jul 17, 2005 9:16:14 GMT
If you're going to sing classical, especially if you're foolhardy enough to attempt Queen of the Night, you shouldn't care about mikes. Not at all. Your voice should be powerful enough (yes, it can happen at twelve. My teacher has students younger than that who sing with no mikes) to only require a bit of vocal enumeration.
It's also the case that the faster a voice develops, the faster it decays. No matter what, you shouldn't actively push the voice towards decay. It isn't just about voice. It's also about stamina, emotional control. Singing Queen of the Night is like that legend of a farmer pulling his shoots to stand taller, but they all died because he ripped the roots.
Twelve should not be an age when you're trying to act like a grown up. Twelve should be the age where you're sharpening your talent, developing a basis for singing. Oh, and voices hit maturity at sixteen, and that requires a change, or a major adjustment in technique, because falsetto has to come sooner than a child. Therefore, a good vocal basic should be obtained.
I think Holly should not be singing any arias except light ones at twelve. It's not a question that varies between people, its a matter of not stretching your voice too thin at too young an age.
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Post by Natasha on Jul 17, 2005 15:33:25 GMT
Portia, I'm going to have to disagree with you once again! lol. When something is being broadcasted on TV (as the duet was) you have to use mikes or the viewing audience will simply not be able to hear the voices. Even the 3 tenors use mikes when their on TV, you have to.
About Holly trying to act 'grown-up' I simply don't believe it. The truth is her voice has reached a certain level of maturity and she needs pieces that will challenge her at her level, not the average easy songs that most little girls sing.
And I'm very sure her voice teacher is very careful about her repertoire and technique. Ultimately it is her teachers choice and her own as to which repertoire is suited for her voice.
As I said before every child is different and unique. So far we've only heard Holly sing one song and so we cannot yet judge her ability to sing arias.
It would be interesting to see if any major record company picks her up and to measure her success in comparison with the other teen sopranos out there.
I certainly look forward to hearing more from this prodigy! Best wishes to you Holly!
[glow=red,2,300]Natasha[/glow]
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Post by portia on Jul 18, 2005 3:10:43 GMT
Whatever you do, mike or no mike, it should be the first instinct for you to acheive harmony with your duet partner. I've used mikes. I've sung on TV. I know. And Holly was doing her best. But no mike will mask the fact that Holly's voice was still too small to sing with a grown man. And when you duet, you should not rely on the mike. You should firstly rely on yourself. The mike should only be an added appendage. And if you voices don't match, no mike will help. Holly could not sing with Andrea because her voice was still too thin. It's understandable. She's twelve.
Queen of the Night is not a song to sing at twelve, no matter the maturity of the voice.
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Post by Richard on Jul 18, 2005 9:49:30 GMT
Hello everybody! I think Holly has an amazing voice for her age, certainly much better than Ch... you know who at twelve, but I wouldn't like to pass final judgement on her until she's a bit older. As for singing with microphones, José Carreras used one throughout his performance at Hampton Court last month, and when he duetted with Hayley the sound balance and blend of their voices was perfect. I'm going to make my usual comment and wish Holly every success with her future career. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifBest Wishes from London, Richard
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Post by Natasha on Jul 18, 2005 12:41:15 GMT
Portia, you talk like your a singer - so you must be! Do you have a website or something? And if you don't mind this question, how old are you? [glow=red,2,300]Best Wishes to Holly! Natasha[/glow]
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Post by portia on Jul 20, 2005 2:30:05 GMT
No, I don't have a website. The reason I don't is I'm probably not going to pursue music professionally. I love singing, but its not my main focus.
I'm almost seventeen.
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Post by Oksana on Sept 17, 2005 20:49:41 GMT
I'm not sure whether you know this or not, but since no one has mentioned it yet, Holly's website has been updated, includes a video of one of her songs, lots of new photos, and she is going to be releasing a new album this September, I believe. Unfortunately, the site doesn't give too many details. Sorry if you already knew this!
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