Who is Katherine Jenkins - photos, music, cd and songs.

Unexpected but beautiful classical arrangement of this popular song

The 'Believe' album is a slight departure for Katherine Jenkins as it shows her less classical side. The album is intended to appeal to the US market but I think will have a world wide appeal and bring her some new fans. She explains in the interview that her new album is more contemporary and crossover than her normal style but is not pop.

Katherine Jenkins and Hayley Westenra sing Ave Maria live on Ainsley Harriet's cooking show 'Ready Steady Cook' 2005

The interview starts with clips from the Royal Variety Performance of the hugely successful Viva la Diva performed by the International Opera star Katherine Jenkins and the former Royal ballet Principle Dancer CBE Darcey Bussell. Here Katherine and Darcey talk about their preparations to take Viva la Diva on an Arena tour with 8 dates across the UK.

The presentation of Viva La Diva has grown to include longer numbers and routines with more of a story line. The story of Viva La Diva portrays all the Divas that have inspired Katherine Jenkins and Darcey Bussell in their youth. Katherine Jenkins says that 'Viva la Diva is really a tribute to performers such as Maria Callas, Doris Day, Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers'. One of the highlights of the show are where Katherine and Darcey dance and sing their version of Marilyn Monroes 'Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend'.

Viva La Diva came about after the two girls met performing for the Queen at one of the palaces. After these meetings Katherine and Darcey became good friends. Though both girls were out of their 'comfort zone' one being a singer and the other a dancer, after excited discussions Viva la Diva was born. The Queen even thought that Darcey Bussell had retired.

Katherine says 'there are a lot of quick changes to do in the Viva la Diva show with a big tap dance number at the end'. Katherine has had to fit the show around recording her sixth album 'Sacred Arias'. Katherine Jenkins sees this album as going back to her roots. The album contains sacred and religious songs that Katherine learned as a chorister in her youth.

Two nights of Viva La Diva at the O2 have been sell outs. The first night was filmed and hence the release of the DVD. Because the show has been a sell out Katherine Jenkins talks about the possibility of touring Viva la Diva around the world.

Katherine Talks about Welsh singing in general and about setting up her own festival in Wales where she hopes to invite Welsh singers such as Paul Potts.