The Up-and-comer
By Natasha Barbieri
Teenager Gabrielle Portelli is a crossover singer hailing from Malta. She made her television debut at the tender age of three on ‘Jolly Phonics’ an educational program for preschoolers. “I was the youngest of the chosen group,” Gabrielle tells us. “This was my first ever television experience. I, together with the other choristers, used to sing and act to teach a new letter sound of the alphabet every week.”
In addition to Jolly Phonics which aired Saturday mornings, Gabrielle was fostering a love for the soprano sound by listening to ‘Phantom of the Opera’ which she claims to still be “obsessed with”. Pressed for a favorite tune she says, “I feel that my top two are ‘Masquerade’ and ‘The Music of the Night’. Both of these songs give me chills up and down my spine every time I listen to them.”
By the age of nine, it was time for Gabrielle to seek additional assistance with her training. Not surprisingly the first song she worked on in vocal class was ‘Think of Me’. Additionally, “I was asked to research about the musical at home in order to familiarize myself with what I am singing. Almost 8 years down the line, I still keep doing this with every song that I study.”
The first school production she became involved with was ‘Annie’ in 2015 where she played Ms. Hannigan. “It required long hours of rehearsals and a lot of studying at home so as to learn the long script by heart and to give the best interpretation possible to my solo ‘Little Girls’. During the performance, I had a lot of quick changes requiring me to be very light on my feet so that I could go back up on stage on time. On the whole, it was a very memorable experience which not only helped me advance in musical theatre but also allowed me to bond with my schoolmates who also took part in the musical.”
More recently Gabrielle has been seen on the stage in ‘Ebenezer’ playing the Ghost of Christmas present. “This part was much more laid back,” she tells us although her costume and make-up were a different story. “My face, neck and arms were filled with white body paint and shades of black. My hair was all backcombed and full of spray paint to give it a messy look and I wore a massive wedding dress and veil to give the idea of an elaborate ghost.”
But makeup aside for Gabrielle “not much has changed” since Annie. Although musically the material pushed her beyond her normal comfort zone. “This presented a challenge which I faced eagerly as this allowed me to be more versatile and create my own spin to it without making it lose its essence. This performance allowed me also to make a lot of new friends.”
Gabrielle has recorded a version of ‘The Voice’ by Brendan Graham and released the video to YouTube. “The first time I heard ‘The Voice’ was in Macedonia in 2011 whilst I was participating in a singing competition there. An older singer sang this song for the opening ceremony and I was mesmerized by the unique music and I thought to myself, I would love to sing this song someday.” She was reintroduced to the piece by her vocal coach years later. “When I sing this song, I feel a series of emotions and it lets me use my voice in its utmost. Because of this, the song is very close to my heart as I truly sing it from my heart. Thanks to this song and the success it made on SoundCloud, I made my first music video which also gained thousands of views and an Akademia award.” The cover helped Gabrielle reach 18th place on the Scottish Global Music Chart (out of 132 entries).
Gabrielle is also making waves at home in Malta. In 2013 she was the youngest soloist chosen to perform with the Malta Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. “It was such an unforgettable experience during which I have learned so much.” In 2015, she sang the national anthem at the President’s Palace in Valletta. “I was very praised by H.E the President and it was such an honor to sing in front of such a significant woman in Malta.”
Gabrielle has also shared the stage with tenor Joseph Calleja and she tells us she would also love to perform with Andrea Bocelli, Celtic Woman and Sarah Brightman. Unsurprisingly, another inspiration is Jackie Evancho. “I remember watching her back when she was on ‘America’s Got Talent’. Seeing a singer my age gaining so much popularity for a talent such as hers from a very tender age is something one should appreciate and look up to.”
Gabrielle’s voice has developed into a lovely clear soprano and she is continuing her studies. “At the moment, I am studying English, and Theatre and Performance at Advanced level, and Psychology, Biology and Geography at Intermediate Level at the Malta Junior College. I am studying Music and Classical Singing independently at the Malta School of Music. I am also studying Musical Theatre at Centre Stage Malta and currently, I am preparing for my Grade 6 Trinity College exam. At present, I am also being coached so that I will continue my ABRSM exams in classical singing and theory.”
Gabrielle hopes to continue on in university studying Psychology or Theatre & Performance. “Perhaps, after I graduate, I wish to go abroad to study music and theatre. I am still not quite sure what the future holds for me at the moment, but this is what I plan on doing. Until then, I just want to keep studying hard so that I pass from my A-level exams next year and go to University.”
Follow Gabrielle through her social media accounts:
facebook.com/gabrielleportellimusic
