Customer Reviews

La Diva

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Katherine Jenkins is a 23-year-old Welsh import who reportedly signed a record-breaking classical record deal in the UK, which, it is said, made her the fastest selling female opera singer since Maria Callas. 'La Diva' is essentially the her US release of her UK album titled 'Second Nature.' The only difference is that 'La Diva' has three songs less than its British counterpart. It's namely missing "Vide Cor Meum," "Barcarolle," and "O Holy Night." I'm biased in saying this, but these ommissions are minor to me because the songs I really wanted were left on the album.

This album is fantastic for lovers of classical, opera, easy-listening, and beautiful voices. Sarah Brightman is my favorite recording artist, so I'm not what you would call a *pure* opera-enthusiast, but I do have my favorite arias, so I would probably describe myself a crossover fan with one foot in pop and one foot in more traditional stylings. That being said, this album had my name written all over it, and after listening to it a few times, I absolutely love it.

Some people may hate my saying this, but if you need a better idea of what to expect from Katherine Jenkins, but she reminds me a bit of Josh Groban. Like Josh, she plays it safe with tried-and-true songs, but they all complement her voice beautifully. And speaking of her voice... Katherine Jenkins' voice must be what people talk about when they mention "beautiful Welsh voices." No offense to Charlotte Church (I have her albums; I do like Charlotte), but Katherine is the real deal. Katherine's mezzo-soprano is absolutely glorious. She has the maturity, training, range, tone color, and control to be one of the 'great voices.' She also supposedly shattered the glass petal piece of a chandelier once with her voice while singing at the top of her range, and I wouldn't doubt if that really happened, because her voice is not only very pretty, but powerful. Katherine also holds a note beautifully with a very pure tone--a quality that definitely puts her over Charlotte Church (whose singing has been 'pitchy' as of late). Like I said, Katherine's the real deal.

Some highlights from this album are: Time to Say Goodbye, Caruso, House of No Regrets, O Sole Mio, and En Aranjuez Con Tu amor. Time to Say Goodbye is quite good, as well, but being a Sarah Brightman fan, I've listened to her version of Time to Say Goodbye sung in the soprano register goodness knows how many times, so I'm still getting used to hearing a mezzo-soprano voice sing the song. Aside from that, though, it's beautiful. I prefer Katherine's Caruso to Josh Groban's, and House of No Regrets and O Sole Mio are absolutely fantastic! I've got to say that my favorite, however, is "En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor." Her 'Aranjuez,' I must say, is my absolute favorite version I've heard to date. I would say that one song was worth the price of the entire album for me, personally.

A song I thought I would have trouble warming to was Song to the Moon. It's the original Dvorak piece from Rusalka, but it has *English* lyrics. I'm used to hearing the song sung in the original Czech and I'm also familiar with Sarah Brightman's Italian version, so I made a face when I realized it was in English. Oddly enough, though, I like it! The English lyrics seem to be a pretty faithful translation of the original Czech lyrics. (I doubt it's word-for-word, but I've seen English translations of the Czech lyrics and these new English lyrics pretty much say the same thing.) It was--dare I say?--kind of cool to be able to understand the Song to the Moon in a way I couldn't before.

If you like Sarah Brightman, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Hayley Westenra, Charlotte Church, OperaBabes, etc., you should most definitely consider purchasing 'La Diva.' She is, quite possibly, the best mezzo-soprano I've heard to date. Katherine's CD is going on the same shelf I put Kathleen Battle, Renee Fleming, and Sarah Brightman--and that's quite a compliment coming from me!

Other albums she's released are: Premiere (her first release) and Second Nature (the UK release of 'La Diva' with 3 more songs).

Katherine Jenkins is the new diva from Wales. I have found her voice to be quite pleasant. I'm not usually into mezzo-soprano stuff, but I knew there was something special about Katherine's voice. This album is very beautiful; I'm glad she finally released in the US. My favourite songs are "House of No Regrets" and "Song to the Moon." Many of the songs on this album have been sung before by other artists, but Katherine puts her special edge on them to make them sound different. What I found to be odd is that Katherine's voice reminds me of Charlotte Church sometimes. Must be a Welsh thing. But really, Katherine has set herself apart from any other artist. I don't think I could compare her with anyone.

I kept passing a poster on the Metro, showing "Katherine Jenkins, opera singer" pushing Rolex, on my way to work. I decided to find out just where and in what productions did she ever sing live, unamplified opera- apparently, not in this galaxy. How about this album?
All I can say is: the ample talents of this young lady are on full display on the cover of the album, but what is most impressive, apart from the "operatic" song selection that puts Philly Cream Cheese to shame, is that wonderfully developed, distinctive wobble in her voice. Fully trained opera singers often work years, decades actually, to develop such a mighty wobble; as a matter of fact, they often don't achieve it until they are well into their eighties. Thus, I gather, Ms Jenkins' claims to being a diva and an opera singer.
Of course, it could be that Miss Katherine is simply channeling her namesake, the legendary Florence Foster Jenkins (hear the The Glory (????) of the Human Voice for yourself). In that case, she is getting there, slowly, one fuzzy note at a time. She seems to have a nice smile and, given the success of her albums, plenty of money, so it's doable. Good luck!

This is a very good CD.I do not have the US version but I do have the UK one and this version does not have three of the songs that are on the UK one.

Katherine Jenkins has gotten some bad press; she has been slammed for her looks (poor, blind, reverse discriminatory, fools), criticized by classical reviewers, and essentially dismissed. A review I read in "Opera News" was one of the harsher I've ever seen. With all respect to a fabulous magazine, this really isn't their territory. Yes, she bills herself as a "classical singer", but that's NOT the same as "opera singer". Mont Blanc used her for a poster girl. What's wrong with that? Are guys that can afford Mont Blancs too old to appreciate sexy babes? Please. Katherine is an ENTERTAINER, who uses classical music as the basis of her act . Again, what's wrong with that? Sarah Brightman has been doing the same for about 30 years, with less looks, and no better (yes, she is more experienced) voice. (And, some of the same material appears on the records of both). (And, yes, I love Sarah).

From Mozart to Rogers and Hammerstein, she does quite well, even daring to lead off with "Time to Say Goodbye", which is essentially a signature piece for Sarah. A nice rework of "Va pensiero" from Verdi's "Nabucco", as well as a good rendition of "O Sole Mio" deserve mention, and I thought she did well with Mozart's "Laudate Dominum" and the "Seguedilla" from "Carmen". Still, if you expect note-perfect to the original, you will get mad. Remember: ENTERTAINMENT.

Many years ago, I heard a wise man observe that "You don't play chess by the rules of checkers". This CD is what it is: entertainment, using classical music for a vehicle. If you accuse me of a weakness for pretty blondes with low voices, I'll plead guilty. (Not that low; Katherine is a kind of high mezzo). The girl couldn't stand comparison to Elina Garanca, BUT she doesn't attempt that. If Katherine wants to occupy her niche, basically "Opera meets glitz and glamour", God bless her. She's doing it rather well. Now, if she signs to sing "Carmen" at The Met, I'll be happy to sign the commitment papers for her, and whoever contracts her. For now, You Go, Girl!!

Katherine Jenkins IS the most beautiful voice in today's world.
Her song selection is extremelly appropriate and her looks are just an extension of all the rest .
I heard her at 35,000 ft the 1st time and all of a sudden the airplane was flying lower than my inspiration.
Her GRAVE tones are just perfect.

Saludos

... but she certainly has a voice. I just got back from a Puccini production, and it showed me how opera is supposed to be sung. I guess Katherine Jenkins is not quite there yet, and she maybe needs to mature a bit more.

Although many would say that she is not going for the operatic style, and hence it's not fair to compare her with opera sopranos. But being an opera-newbie myself, I've equated classical singing with opera singing, and Katherine is adamant that she is a classical soprano, not the crossover soprano. I think this is a bit pompous, as she sings not straight classical pieces, but also contemporary songs.

Anyway, she is a really gifted person, and this is her true calling. Listening to her album though, one wonders if the story about her shattering a chandelier during a performance is true or fiction, as I can't detect much power behind her voice, especially in the high notes.

The highlight of this album is the House of No Regrets. It is a really good piece, and she expressed the appropriate emotions that the song demanded. The lowlight is her cover of Time to Say Goodbye. It's weird hearing it being sung in a lower scale and in a faster tune. But so far, her version is the better cover compared with Keedie, a soprano from the Uk I think she is...(Sarah Brightman's version is still up there...) Caruso, I never thought it would work with a woman's voice but it's really good. Song to the Moon, well again I prefer Brightman's more mellow La Luna... perhaps Italian is the best language for classical pieces. En Arenjuez is also a good song.

Overall, this album is a compilation of good songs. They do not stand out, and alone cannot hold its own. This is a good sophomore release for this Welsh soprano, much much better than the first one, Premiere. Im hoping that her future one, Living a Dream, would be able to surpass her current works and accomodate the talent that she really has.

I brought your ablums and I listen to them all over again, I love your voice so beautiful charming,and alot of people havent heard of you and dont like you, your a beautiful girl katherine jenkins, and I am sure you are best friends with charlotte church,the rock singer,I hope if you hear about church going back to opera, you might go back with her to do an ablumn,but you have got much more class because I know she went into a alot of bad stuff,but it would be good to meet you, because your voice is just abolsetly beautful,i wish that you could see the pope because he is a wonderful man, thankyou.

Over the past ten years, I have been asked to listen to albums of what the public has been misled to believe is classical vocal music (such as this one) because those who have purchased the albums have thought I would appreciate them as I am a singer. This album and the others by this singer are not opera, nor are they classical. This singer is pop. I have held my tongue and waited for this trend of popera to pass, but it isn't and I'm vexed at the comparison of singers such as Ms. Jenkins to legitimate voices.

If you are looking for some truly exceptional music by singers who have actually been on stage in an opera outside of grad school, try Stephanie Blythe, Vivica Genaux, Susan Graham, Jennifer Larmore, Ewa Podles and more I'm certainly forgetting. This CD is misleading many people about what opera really is. Ms. Jenkins would never sing the role of Carmen on stage, and should not be recording it.

What a bad record!
If she chooses to record Sarah Brightman's repertoire over and over again, she should get herself some comparable pipes.
Her embarrassing performance of "Nessun Dorma" on the Live8 DVD are proof of a major lack of talent.

If you want the original rather than the copy cat, buy any Sarah Brightman album.