Charlotte Church - In Jerusalem
Directed by Kriss Russman
Continuing the pilgrimage she began in her 2000 Christmas video, Dream a Dream: Charlotte Church in the Holy Land, the Welsh singing sensation performs a live concert from the Tower of David in Jerusalem. While no longer a 12-year-old cherub, the teenage Church retains her youthful giddiness as she breathlessly introduces numerous songs from her recording career--Parry's "Jerusalem," Puccini's "O Mio Babbino Caro," Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu" (in a duet with Marina Blumen), and the appropriate closer, Stephen Adams's "The Holy City." Uri Miles ("the only Uillean piper in Israel") accompanies "Last Rose of Summer," and the Cantus Choir backs up "The Lord's Prayer" and "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer." Conductor Julian Smith and the Ra'anana Symphonette Orchestra perform brief orchestral interludes from Carmen and Cavalleria Rusticana, during which Church is shown rehearsing and preparing for the concert (in fast motion), then visiting various parts of the city. In fine voice, Church is always respectful, even reverential of her surroundings, and the concert setting, with the stone walls lit against the night sky, is nothing less than stunning. --David Horiuchi From the Back Cover Join Charlotte Church as she performs some of her favorite songs in the magnificent setting of the historic Tower of David, Jerusalem. This concert was recorded live with the Ra'anana Symphonette Orchestra and the Cantus Choir in front of an invited audience. There is exclusive behind-the-scenes footage as Charlotte explores the historic city of Jerusalem. Get a glimpse of the hustle and bustle involved in constructing the stage and see Charlotte rehearse with conductor Julian Smith, as they prepare for the night ahead. 49 minutes. 1. Overture: Forces of Destiny (Verdi) (orchestra only) 2. Jerusalem 3. La Pastorella 4. Uri Miles on Uillean pipes 5. Last Rose of Summer 6. O Mio Babbino Caro 7. Carmen Prelude / Carmen Act 4 (Bizet) (orchestra only) 8. The Lord's Prayer 9. Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer 10. Ave Maria (Bach-Gounod) 11. Intermezzo Cavalleria Rusticana (orchestra only) 12. Plaisir d'Amour 13. Pie Jesu (Andrew Lloyd Webber) (duet with Marina Blumen) 14. The Holy City 15. The Holy City (reprise)
A Personal Visit Would Be Better This video certainly has no more merit than a CD by this artist. The scene is by the wailing wall in Jerusalem and the sum total of the program is to hear Miss Church wailing away with her choir-girl repertoire of material from previous CDs. Accordingly the listener/viewer has the same problems as with the CD and that is the total lack of range, control, and emotion in Miss Church's singing. If all you want is volume, you can receive the same every Sunday from your church choir. If you want to see Jerusalem, go there in person. The stationary night-time scene of Miss Church by the wailing wall will not satisfy your appetite for a Holy Land visitation. BETTER than her CD's! Charlotte Church sounds even better when performing live than she does on her CD's - and that takes real talent! This video is absolutely beautiful. Charlotte is beautiful, her voice is beautiful, and the setting is beautiful. Every song is lovely, but I especially like "O Mio Babbino Caro" and "Plasir d'amour." "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer" is so wonderful that it sounds exactly like the version on her CD, only better! "The Holy City" is a smashing ending to this must-have for Charlotte fans! My only criticism is that this video is way too short! Just Plain Wonderful! Many people have been scepticalabout the development of her voice, but as this concert proves she only seems to get better and better. At fifteen years of ageshe has a wonderful appealingstage presence, and if she continues to train & improve, I believe that her dream to star in Madam Butterfly will happen.
