Katherine Jenkins

Richard Parr
Saturday, July 12, 2008
4:20 PM

Thetford Forest

The wonderful voice and charming personality of the girl from the Welsh valleys captivated a sell-out audience at Saturdays open-air concert.
It is easy to see how Katherine Jenkins has endeared herself to millions of fans a modern-day Vera Lynn, she has a delightful girl-next-door quality that melts hearts.
From her first appearance in an ivory-coloured gown (the first of a number of fabulous frocks) singing I Who Have Nothing, she was clearly happy to be there, her mezzo-soprano voice soaring as high as the towering forest trees.
Backed by the talented musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Anthony Inglis, she delivered something special.
A selection of varied songs included Somewhere, from West Side Story, All Through the Night (sung in Welsh), Granada, Requiem for a Soldier and I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady (which Miss Jenkins dedicated to dancer Darcy Bussell, with whom she has been appearing in a show, Viva La Diva).
Appearing in the concert with her was the male classicallytrained singing quartet, Blake.
She told the predominantly older audience: I have been touring with these boys. I know its a tough job, but someones got to do it.
The lads from Blake ended their appearance with a wonderful rendition of Up Where We Belong.
The former choirgirl at a church in Neath in her native Wales, she sang what was her dads favourite song, the hauntingly beautiful Pie Jesu.
During the concert she spoke of her best experience of entertaining British troops in areas of conflict including Iraq and Afghanistan and revealed that she was now a trustee of the British Forces Foundation.
We were treated to a traditional Proms style finale with Miss Jenkins draped in the Welsh flag over her purple gown. What better way for this 21st century forces sweetheart to end her performance than with Well Meet Again.

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