I think it was our head librarian who told me to watch the video of Jonathan and Charlotte, a pair of Essex teenagers, audition for the Simon Cowell program "Britain's Got Talent." I was immediately enthralled. If you haven't seen the audition, here is the link. Jonathan, overweight, had been bullied to the point of extreme shyness to the point of dropping out of school, but was saved by his voice and by a true friend, Charlotte.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41IS2OKqq1w
One of my lifelong goals was to hear Pavarotti sing live. I had his albums but a live concert, well that would be something. But he died before I ever had a chance.
Yet here was Jonathan Antoine, who, at the age of 17, had a voice that could rival Pavarotti's. He was matched with Charlotte's soprano, though Cowell rudely suggested that Jonathan "dump" her. I listened to the audition over and over and waited for the semi-finals.
At their next performance, Charlotte had something to prove and she came through, making Cowell eat his words with Pavarotti's "Caruso". Again, the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hiU7gkBYrA
Cowell admitted he was wrong, and the two went on to the final level.
As a choir director, I know good voices, and here were two of the best. I was so anxious to see what Jonathan and Charlotte would do for their final performance and they did not disappoint. They reprised "The Prayer" that they had sung for their audition, but now they had an orchestra behind them. It was magical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PRl-iIARU4
In the end, even the cynical Cowell was moved.
But the British love their dogs, and voted for a dog act and Jonathan and Charlotte came in second. But in thinking it over, it was the right result. The girl and her dog will perform for the Queen but in the end, how long does a dog live and how many places are there for a dancing dog to perform? The girl will have her moment of fame and can live on that for the rest of her life.
Jonathan and Charlotte have a million pound contract and are busy working on their first CD. In time, they, too, will perform for the Queen and considering that they are only 16 and 17, they will have great careers ahead of them. They can expect to perform not only for the Queen, but King Charles and after him, King William.
Jonathan, who was bullied, can add to the chorus, "It gets better."
I don't buy many CD's but I look forward to owning Jonathan and Charlotte's first. Meanwhile, when I feel a bit down, I click on the You Tube links, and watch a bit of magic as two lives change.
And wait for an opportunity to hear them live.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41IS2OKqq1w
One of my lifelong goals was to hear Pavarotti sing live. I had his albums but a live concert, well that would be something. But he died before I ever had a chance.
Yet here was Jonathan Antoine, who, at the age of 17, had a voice that could rival Pavarotti's. He was matched with Charlotte's soprano, though Cowell rudely suggested that Jonathan "dump" her. I listened to the audition over and over and waited for the semi-finals.
At their next performance, Charlotte had something to prove and she came through, making Cowell eat his words with Pavarotti's "Caruso". Again, the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hiU7gkBYrA
Cowell admitted he was wrong, and the two went on to the final level.
As a choir director, I know good voices, and here were two of the best. I was so anxious to see what Jonathan and Charlotte would do for their final performance and they did not disappoint. They reprised "The Prayer" that they had sung for their audition, but now they had an orchestra behind them. It was magical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PRl-iIARU4
In the end, even the cynical Cowell was moved.
But the British love their dogs, and voted for a dog act and Jonathan and Charlotte came in second. But in thinking it over, it was the right result. The girl and her dog will perform for the Queen but in the end, how long does a dog live and how many places are there for a dancing dog to perform? The girl will have her moment of fame and can live on that for the rest of her life.
Jonathan and Charlotte have a million pound contract and are busy working on their first CD. In time, they, too, will perform for the Queen and considering that they are only 16 and 17, they will have great careers ahead of them. They can expect to perform not only for the Queen, but King Charles and after him, King William.
Jonathan, who was bullied, can add to the chorus, "It gets better."
I don't buy many CD's but I look forward to owning Jonathan and Charlotte's first. Meanwhile, when I feel a bit down, I click on the You Tube links, and watch a bit of magic as two lives change.
And wait for an opportunity to hear them live.
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