The singing of songs at rugby grounds is not something normally associated with demure young mezzo-sopranos, but the one who will give voice to the national anthem at the England v France match at Twickenham today is different. Very different.
Faryl Smith is just 13, but already a double record-breaker, and seemingly set to be an even bigger sensation than Charlotte Church when she burst on to the scene aged 11.
Smith’s £2.3m recording contract was the biggest ever awarded to someone of her age, and since the resulting album was released a week ago, it has become the fastest-selling solo classical debut in chart history.
One only hopes that this young girl will not suffer the same fate as Charlotte Church, but the parallels are startling. Church’s voice, at least according to what little can be heard of her lately, was damaged by overuse and smoking. Her public persona also suffered greatly as she is now a somewhat blowsy “presenter” on daytime British TV with two illegitimate children by a Welsh rugby player who says that they’ll get married when they’re not so busy having babies. (Hmmm.)
Another comparable young singer is Hayley Westenra of New Zealand who appears at this point to be maintaining her vocal quality and spending her time and fame more productively. Most recently, she’s been working with UNICEF and even appeared at a Festival of Remembrance for British soldiers returning from war.
Unfortunately with young singers like this, they get so famous and so in demand that they don’t have time to develop their voices physically or their talents musically and they have all the temptations and challenges of celebrity. They do sing marvelously well, however, and are a pleasure to hear; so much more so than most popular music.
The media acts like sharks or piranha feeding upon these gifted young people…demanding that they perform too much, give too much of themselves to the culture, be ‘sexy’ instead of beautiful….pushing them beyond their wisdom.
Their parents do not (know how to?) protect them.
Or maybe they give in because of the money.
You can see Westenra’s rapid progression from innocence to what the world demanded…’edgy’ clothing, seductive photos…more and more ‘skin’.
Charlotte Church was not ready to perform. She had a few rare lovely notes, but not the technique nor polish. Now she’s been gobbled up and has thrown herself away.
The world/media/market system trespasses sacred boundaries.
I watched the video of Faryl Smith and, well, they’ve dolled her up like an adult and while her voice has a richness and depth that Church did not, she’s being gobbled…and exploited.
This young lady needs to be a [b]girl[/b] first, develop her talents further, and then pursue her career. She does have great potential, but at the same time, her parents need to ensure that she’s not exploited……as Charlotte was.