'Welsh Diva' in full voice

Wrexham Mail


OPERA singing sensation Katherine Jenkins is gearing up to wow the crowds with her heavenly voice at the North Wales Theatre, Llandudno, on Sunday, March 21.

The stunning mezzo-soprano, who is about to release her debut album, will perform at the Llandudno Theatre as part of her UK tour with New Zealand sensation Hayley Westenra.

Katherine first came to the attention of the media at the Classical Brits last May when the nation's media fought for the attention of the Neath beauty as she walked the red carpet of the Royal Albert Hall for the very first time. The Daily Mail described her as the new 'Welsh Diva', while Wales on Sunday lauded her 'Wales's new operatic sensation'.

Katherine went on to perform before a crowd of 70,000 people at the Wales v England game at the Millennium Stadium last August and became the official mascot for the Welsh rugby team during the World Cup.

And the young singer replaced international opera star Bryn Terfel as the Welsh rugby team's mascot in time for the Rugby World Cup.

The 24-year-old recorded the team's championship anthem, Bread of Heaven.

Katherine was asked to record the song following her performance at the Millennium Stadium.

'It was such an honour,' said self-confessed rugby fan Katherine.

'I was just so pleased to be asked to sing before the Wales/England match so to then be asked to record the anthem for the Rugby World Cup was a dream come true.'

'I have always had rugby in my life. I have been to the stadium to watch games and have stood there and thought that I really want to lead the anthem one day.'

Katherine also performed at Westminster Cathedral for the Pope's Silver Jubilee concert, and appeared on a BBC TV broadcast from Sydney's Opera House.

Katherine was invited to sing at the Sydney Opera House in front of an audience of about 2,000 people last October as special guest star at a Max Boyce concert.

The show was broadcast on the eve of the Wales-All Blacks game on BBC1 Wales on November 1 last year.

And last year, the stunning former model, teacher and Royal Academy of Music graduate, was snapped up by recording giants, Universal Classics, who offered her a six-album deal as soon as she left college.

Her debut album, Première, to be released on Monday, April 19, was produced by James Morgan and Juliette Pochin and contains songs reflecting her musical influences, including, Habenera from Carmen, John Rutter's The Lord is My Shepherd, Welsh folk songs and some new arrangements of classical tracks. The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £19.50. To book call the box office on 01492 872000.

Info-link thanks to Roger Mansbridge

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