Customer Reviews

Sacred Arias

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"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.

....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.

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.

Absolutely beautiful. I never tire of listening to it while I am working. I also own Living a Dream, Second Nature, and From the Heart. I like her choices on this CD the most. Out of my Kiri Te Kanawa, Renee Flemming, Sarah Brightman, and Kathleen Battle CD's, I often choose Katherine and Kathleen. One of the few voices that both my husband and I listen to together. So nice to hear a young lady sing these songs instead of "popera"! Very classy. Her voice is not overly trained. I look forward to her future productions!

Katherine Jenkins has a sweet voice, but a bit too sweet to my taste. Sacred arias require deeper voice and emotions. Sometimes she sings like a 12 year old girl. She is a good singer, there is no doubt about it, but in some songs a stronger voice is needed. She may be able to do it, but obviously the purpose of the collection was not to please friends of opera music. I did not like the background choir at all. If one is a good singer, this is not necessary. This is my major critique.

The cover pictures are very lovely, of course, but usually singers of sacred arias have somewhat more covering clothes ...

My neighbor had been lookng for this CD in several stores. She owned one and as it got older it became scratched and would no longer play. Not to worry I said. I'll look on Amazon. And lo and behold the same day, I found this CD and the seller was excellent. Brand new just as described. My neighbor wanted 2 so she could give one as a gift. In 3 days, the CD's arrived and she is just in awe. Thank you so much!

This is just the most beautiful CD. Even if you are not religious the music is captivating and sung so well by Katherine. Definitely one of my favourites.

Will somebody please show me where the Freight Train is that I can jump in front of for this woman. I especially like when she sings in languages other than English. I am not quite sure why, I don't understand a word. I obviously don't need to, I get it. Miss Katherine is definitely one of my favorite obsessions.

Katherine Jenkins does a wonderful job on the more operatic or classical material. My only regret is that she carries this style over into the more popular pieces where it doesn't work as well. Still, if she shows up at my front door and wants to run off to Mexico, I'm gone!

I bought this looking for Christmas carols...which it is not. However, Catherine's voice and the 1st class production produced something very special. My favourites, the gospel "Down in the River to Pray" and "Hallelujah". I love "Agnus Dei" and suspect that it may shatter a crystal glass.

So, Catherine, how about a Christmas Carol CD or a Gospel CD. I'd buy both.