Sacred Arias

Leonard Cohen (Composer), Gabriel Faure (Composer), Cesar Franck (Composer), Howard Goodall (Composer), Franz Xaver Gruber (Composer), Simon Lindle (Composer), Andrew Lloyd Webber (Composer), Henry Francis Lyte (Composer), Ariel Ramirez (Composer), Katherine Jenkins (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Katherine Jenkins
• Composer: Leonard Cohen, Gabriel Faure, Cesar Franck, Howard Goodall, Franz Xaver Gruber, et al.
• Audio CD (November 18, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B001H3KMOI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,363 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #83 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Early Music > Forms & Genres > Requiems
  • #96 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Early Music > Sacred & Religious
  • #100 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Requiems, Elegies & Tombeau > Requiems

Editorial Reviews

Just a few years back Katherine Jenkins was a public school music teacher in Wales. Today, she is the UK's fastest-rising classical star. Ever since she shattered a glass chandelier with a high note during a concert, Katherine has taken the classical world by storm, winning several singing competitions at the Royal Academy of Music. Her debut album Première went straight to number one in the U.K in April 2004 and stayed there for eight weeks. Katherine's second album, Second Nature was released in October 2004 and featured her stirring rendition of Time To Say Goodbye--the multi-platinum smash by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. The album quickly went platinum selling over 350,000 units by Christmas making Katherine Jenkins the U.K's biggest selling Classical Artist of 2004.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Katherine Jenkins Sings Heavenly On Sacred Music Collection, February 17, 2009

By 

Terence Allen (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sacred Arias (Audio CD)

"Sacred Arias" by Katherine Jenkins gives the Welsh classical diva a chance to perform a collection of sacred music.

The choice of songs is eclestic and quite good. One can find Samuel Barber, American spirituals, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Leonard Cohen. And because Ms. Jenkins is a superb singer with great range and talent, she pulls every song off effortlessly.

This is a noteworthy collection of sacred songs made enjoyable because of Ms. Jenkins' great voice, and great arrangements and interpretations.

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I confess to some conflicted opinions........., May 31, 2009

By 

Robert C. Hufford (Hopewell, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sacred Arias (Audio CD)

....on this one. Katherine Jenkins is pretty. That's a self-evident truth; even Mont Blanc used her for a poster girl, targeting the type of guys who can afford their pens. She is a good, not a great, singer. This album is well presented, with excellent renditions of some wonderful music. The pictures are fabulous, and that's the problem; I like to look at pretty girls as much as any guy, but semi-provocative photos with an album of sacred music make me uncomfortable. She can be as seductive as she wishes on a CD of opera arias, and I won't care. But here? (Contrast Renee Fleming's similar offering; perfect taste).

OK...I got my vent out of the way. The music is wonderful! Standard old hymns ("Abide With Me", "May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You", "Silent Night"), classical pieces ("Panis Angelicus", "Agnus Dei", "In Paradisium"), even a Spiritual. The "Pie Jesu" from the Andrew Lloyd Webber "Requium" and Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" are particularly fine.

Make your own decisions. I took away one star for mixing sexy art with hymns. I'm a Christian, but not a prude, and I'll admit that I'd add, rather than subtract, a star were this opera. This is very good, not a great, disc. I know that "Opera News" slammed it, but with all respect to a truly great magazine, this really isn't "their thing". Katherine is no Elina, either in looks or voice; still, you might enjoy it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! Why isn't she better known in the USA?, March 20, 2009

By 

Ervin Prince (Heath, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sacred Arias (Audio CD)

This was my first exposure to the immense talents of Katherine Jenkins, and it was only because Sacred Arias was featured with some other music recommended by Amazon in an email I received. Since then, I've bought two more CDs of Sacred Arias to give to others. This beautiful Welsh woman has a strong, clear voice that can only be compared to Sarah Brightman. Subsequent to my purchase of Sacred Arias, I've purchased five other Katherine Jenkins CDs, and all have been outstanding. I would definitely pay good money to see her in concert. Her selection mix of religious hymns and traditional American music is unique and very pleasing.