I have rarely heard a voice much like that one; soaring into the early evening air; full-throated, beautiful as stars at midnight. American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson's warm-up act before Pope Benedict arrived at today's (Saturday) youth rally in Yonkers was nothing to write home about but her closing act: Whoa.
Benedict was already running a half hour late, due to his speech continually being interrupted with cheers and shouts of "Benedetto!" The crowd filling what looked like a football field adjacent to St. Joseph's Seminary had sat in the sun all afternoon, so they wanted the pope to stick around as long as possible to make up for it. Black-clad seminarians were packed up against the stage, mosh-pit style while those of us in the press pen were reduced to sitting in the dirt on a hill overlooking the main stage, trying to keep dust off our computer screens.
I think John Paul II was used to rock-star receptions but this was all new to Benedict. But he was really warming up to the crowd and twice walked out on walkways extending into the crowd to shake hands. His speech was solid and interesting. Then a parade of outstanding local Catholic youth were marched past him for a personal greeting.
By 7 p.m., it was almost over. Then Kelly Clarkson, 25, who had changed out of a black dress from her previous act into a demure blue frock, began to belt out the well-known words of "Ave Maria." She was so magnificent, that afterwards the crowd roared and even Benedict stood to greet here. Miss Clarkson, by the way, attends a Baptist church.
Then Benedict climbed into his popemobile and disappeared behind the stage. I then noticed tons of police lining up on a small road right in front of the press pen. Right behind us stood a group of nuns from the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia in Nashville. Then, the popemobile hove into view, barely 15 feet from me and maybe 25 feet from the nuns. It was so dear to watch their amazed faces.
"I can't believe it. He was right there," Sister Mary Angela, the novice mistress, told me afterwards.
"You know," I overheard a broadcaster saying nearby, "his reception has gotten warmer as people have gotten to know him better."
— Julia Duin, assistant national editor/religion, The Washington Times
Comments (16)
Excellent article. Wholeheartedly agree. Kelly Clarkon's voice is magnificent. From the first moment I heard her on American Idol back in 2001, her voice gave me chills, and it still continues to do so.
Thanks for the fantastic praise for Kelly--she deserves it!
Posted by Whitney Vallier | April 19, 2008 10:39 PM
I thought Ms.Clarkson she sounded kind of ordinary singing Ave Maria but I guess everybody hears things differently.
Posted by charice | April 19, 2008 10:52 PM
His speech was solid and interesting.
Care to elaborate?
Posted by Anonymous | April 19, 2008 11:45 PM
This is going to be remembered.
Kelly Clarkson, just wao.
Amazing.
Posted by Carlos Quintero | April 20, 2008 12:10 AM
kelly clarkson is amazing
sing very nice
Posted by yanin | April 20, 2008 1:09 AM
Guess I find a different definition of amazing or magnificient. I can think of many many female singers (even males) I have heard sing that song better. Have no idea why she was even chosen to be there, let alone sing for the pope. Just seems they could have found someone of the Catholic faith who could sing better and also dress a little more appropriately for a meeting with the pope. This wasn't one of her "runway" appearances or a pop show -- a little more "old time" respect would have been nice.
Posted by Don | April 20, 2008 2:12 AM
It was Ave Maria mixed together with something I hadn't heard in a long time - The Maiden's Prayer. Nobody else noticed?
Posted by Julia | April 20, 2008 2:34 AM
Kelly Clarkson sang that song with such an angelic clarity, I've listened to it several times already.
Posted by mike | April 20, 2008 4:41 AM
Ugh. Too bad she sang Celine Dion's nonsense, and non-Catholic version, rather than the actual prayer in Latin.
Posted by Rebecca | April 20, 2008 8:28 AM
Kelly Clarkson's version was adequate I guess, but not for the Pope. Can't imagine what he was thinking after all the wonderful versions he has heard!
Posted by shannon | April 20, 2008 9:23 AM
"Ugh. Too bad she sang Celine Dion's nonsense, and non-Catholic version, rather than the actual prayer in Latin"
This version was actually chosen FOR Clarkson to sing because it is said to be the Pope's favorite... Ugh. Too bad you didn't get a clue before you made your post!!
Posted by Arthur | April 20, 2008 12:25 PM
What a beautiful voice this woman possesses, and she can sing with such feeling that it touches you deep inside. Please do a gospel album next, Kelly.
Posted by John | April 20, 2008 5:52 PM
I read this assessment of Clarkson's performance of "Ave Maria" today:
Yesterday Kelly was outdoors in an open area, not even a band shell. That means the location provided zero acoustical aid to the vocalist and musicians. She performed only with a violinist, pianist and guitarist, and not with any background singers that I heard. It was just Kelly's voice and the three musicians in absolute purity of music, totally stripped down to its basic elements.
What that means is you hear it all undisguised or mitigated by any modern production techniques. So you hear the slightly too quick pace at the beginning until nerves settle down. You hear the texture in her voice. It's not smoothed and made silky through a carefully produced situation. You hear Kelly's breath control limitations.
But what you also hear is a rich, powerful, warm, natural voice full of sincerity and emotion. I still maintain, and always will, that the greatest singers are not those with technically perfect vocals, but those who touch the hearts of their audiences in some way. I could provide you with a long list of music icons who don't (or didn't) have great technical voices, but whose music isn't likely to ever fade away. People like Elvis, Johnny Cash, Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, and Elton John come to mind immediately, but there are many others.
It was a great perfomance by any measure.
Posted by Sasha | April 20, 2008 7:13 PM
great info about acoustics. didn't know that. it makes me appreciate kelly's version even more. it's true that just about every other version i have heard is backed by a huge orchestra and/or in a studio. she is an awesome talent and i think kids will open their minds to classic music like this when it is sung in an updated style instead of the same old staid version we've all heard so many times. i can't wait to hear more from this powerhouse voice.
Posted by sam | April 21, 2008 1:30 AM
Remember, this was a YOUTH rally. Not a bunch of retired people who think the only way to sing is in that old-fashioned Sarah Brightman dog-whitle-Coloratura-Soprano.
Yes, Brightman -and those like her- are great singers... but step aside; there's a new angelic voice in town. Even though the Pope had to think to himself that it probably wanst his favorite vocal style, you could tell he was touched by the raw emotion of her voice.
Posted by Paul | April 21, 2008 12:36 PM
For your information people she sang this version because the pope like this version. Why you gotta crictize. You know who you are. Losers! Or Loser!
Posted by lilbabz | April 29, 2008 11:53 AM