Interview: Dream voice – Katherine Jenkins

Katherine Jenkins has achieved world fame as a classical cross-over singer. Andrew Kay talked to her as she embarked on another major concert tour

This cold weather doesn’t affect you voice does it? Do you have to be particularly careful?
“Well I am careful all the time, doing what I can, eating the right things, drinking lots of water, no alcohol, all that kind of stuff. I do drink, of course, but I don’t get the opportunity to very much. I do all I can to stay fit at all times so that I never have to cancel any concerts.”

That must be very disappointing when you do. Do you find it upsetting?
“It’s only happened twice in eight years, but if there’s anything wrong with my voice I am not a good person to be around.”

You are about to start another major tour…
“Yes, I’m really looking forward to it, for me it’s the best bit of what I do, the live part, on a stage with an orchestra seeing how the music affects the audience. I love it.”

As a young person was your dream to be a classical performer or did you think that you would be more of a cross-over artist?
“I didn’t know about cross-over then, I didn’t know it really existed. So I was really intent in my training hoping that I could get myself into a small opera chorus and work my way up from there. So I suppose a classical career. Then when I got the record contract that seemed like something really different. I mean I hadn’t even thought about a record contract or about being a recording artist. With the albums I always try to include a wide range of songs and reach the widest possible audience, which has meant that I have included a lot of classical repertoire and there are other performers like me who have done the same thing.”

Do you think that you will ever return to a classical career, I mean would you like to?
“No, not a straight classical career, I don’t think I could ever go back to that entirely. I love what cross-over allows me to do and I can still perform straight classical music. I’ve just been in Australia singing with Plácido Domingo, doing opera arias and duets and a few show tunes too. I count that as straight classical. But then I can come back and be involved in concerts and recording with pop singers. I wouldn’t change that, I’ve definitely found my niche.”

But is that the opera world’s loss?
“Ah, I’d still like the opportunity to do opera. I don’t want to give that up, or what I’m doing now either.”

Which of the great Mezzo Soprano roles would you really love to do?
“Carmen! She’s such a dangerous minx and a really big character.”

It would be lovely to see someone playing Carmen when they are still young and sexy…
“Ah, yes, well, that would be fun. I hope I get the chance to do it.”

Is there any chance it will happen?
“Yes, I’m talking to people about it at the moment. I think not this year but maybe next year.”

Having listened to your most recent album I really enjoyed the inclusion of some folk songs on there. Are you very interested in those songs?
“I’m interested in them because of my Welsh background, and I love ‘Black Is The Colour’ which I think is Scottish, I love that kind of Celtic song. I am a mix of music and my albums and concerts reflect that. I learned to sing in church so there is always church music too. I started to get interested in serious music when I was in my early teens and prior to that it was all about musical theatre. I loved all that and include those songs as well as some contemporary songs.”

“When I am out on the street kids don’t know me as a singer but they do say ‘there’s that girl off Dr Who’. It makes me laugh”

It does give you a very wide audience, I have sat and watched you surrounded by teenagers and senior citizens…
“Yes, it’s insane, isn’t it? It started off as definitely an older audience but now I get everything. I do a question and answer section in my show and I get young mothers with their nine month old daughters and requests for 90 year old’s birthdays. It’s crazy and I love that.”

Do you think your appearance in Dr Who has increased that audience?
“Definitely, It’s quite funny because when I am out on the street kids don’t know me as a singer but they do say there’s that girl off Dr Who. It makes me laugh.”

And you had to act, is that another step for you?
“Yes, I was really nervous because I am not an actress and I haven’t done that training, but I think now I have pushed myself and been pushed by the amazing Dr Who team, I would definitely consider it again, I’d have to sing though.”

Do you think you are part of a great new Welsh Arts mafia?
[Laughs] “It’s funny how much is coming out of Wales now and I have always been very proud of being Welsh. It is a country that loves singing and arts, I think that is fantastic.”

You toured with Darcy Bussell in Diva and you are a better dancer than she will ever be a singer. Are there any other big names that you would like to duet with?
“Thank you. Classically I have been very lucky to have sung with a lot of people that I really admire. Perhaps someone completely different, like Michael Buble, just to see what happens?”

You’re not frightened of anything, are you?
“No, well some things, but when it comes to performing I think it’s really good to just try your best and to push the boundaries of your comfort zone. The things I am really happy with are the things that were really uncomfortable to begin with. You have to constantly push yourself.”

You say you love musical theatre, will we ever see you in a West End show?
“I think so, I have been asked by Andrew Lloyd Webber and it would be great to do at some point.”

What would be your dream musical?
“I don’t know because I don’t know where my voice will be at, but I love all of Andrew’s work.”

You are also well known for your support of the armed forces, will there be more of that?
“Yes, I am planning to go back to Afghanistan this year, but we will not make an announcement in case we have to cancel.”

And they do try to bomb you, don’t they?
“Yes, I have all sorts thrown at me on those trips. I want to go but it’s not been safe for a while but I will go back.”

Katherine Jenkins appears in concert at The Brighton Centre, Friday 10 February,Box office: 0844 847 1515
www.brightoncentre.co.uk