The embonpoint to become a queen of song
Serious “opera singer” Katherine Jenkins says her greatest wish is to sing Carmen or Cherubino at La Scala.
According to the Corriere della Sera:
The 29 year old Welsh mezzo-soprano and crossover singer known for her nine CDs (over 4 million copies sold) and three DVDs already released, a best-selling autobiography, a controversial TV show, a debut recording contract worth 1 million dollars (a record), renewed for 10 million dollars (another record), for selling more records than Maria Callas, for refusing one million dollars offered by Playboy to pose nude, and for her patriotic world tours for the British army [not pictured] Yes, Katherine Jenkins has a dream (for the moment) unfulfilled: to sing at La Scala.
And did she mention that her mentor (and vocal teacher) is Placido Domingo, her idol is Andrea Bocelli and her best friend is Rolando Villazon?
Sarahheartburn, #27. May I echo your enthusiasm for the Bryn Terfel album. I was particularly thrilled that he dares to take seriously and sing with equal love not only Gershwin and Weill, who are finally acknowledged as being in “the canon,” but also Sondheim and (Hallelujah! Look up! Your redemption draweth nigh!) Arthur Sullivan!
TONY T’S HAMLET REVIEW IS UP – AHEM:
“The opera is also a star vehicle for the right baritone in this punishing title role. Simon Keenlyside, the Ralph Fiennes of baritones, was the acclaimed Hamlet when this production was introduced, and he dominated the evening here. His singing was an uncanny amalgam, at once elegant and wrenching, intelligent and fitful. Handsome, haunted and prone to fidgety spasms that convey Hamlet’s seething anger and paralyzing indecision, Mr. Keenlyside embodied the character in every moment, and you could not take your eyes off him”
That may read a bit like hyperbole…but I was at the opening and Keenlyside was indeed mesmerizing. Doesn’t hurt that he is sex on a stick.
“His singing was intelligent and fitful“??
Can’t say that I am great fan of nitpicking in general, but as a heterosexual German male, I do feel obliged to point out that the word in question is “Nippel” (and not Nippel). I also look forward to more postings under this label.
Oops, seems I fell victim to the nitpicker’s curse, there. What I was trying to say:
“Nippel” (and not Nippen).
@32: It’s really something, isn’t it?
The Times editors have obviously forbidden him to use the word “strapping” anymore, inadvertently pushing him to more elaborate expressions of lust. “Punishing!” “Dominated!” “Spasms!” “You [read: Tony] could not take your [read: Tony's] eyes off off [S.K.]!”
My glasses fogged up just reading it.
Didn’t Rita Gorr make her debut in Antwerp aged 23 as Fricka? Small house, I know but…
The only opera house where Jenkins has a cat’s chance in hell of singing is the Wales Millenium Centre where Welsh National Opera performs. So far they have admirably resisted La Jenkins’s “charms” but the Taffia (Welsh Mafia) is doubtless on the case and there will pressure to find something for her. If I were casting WNO, I’d suggest a concert performance of Act III of Parsifal and offer her Kundry.
A propos of not very much (apart from embonpoint), look at this shot Ricciarelli I just discovered serendipitously.
http://todopera.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/ricciarelli2.jpg
For that new opera being written about Anna Nicole Smith…surely the composer should have scored it with this Jenkins bimbo in mind. She is perfect for the role…..having similar matching push- bike pump pressure in her ‘headlights’. Pity her voice is not as focused or as dazzling as they are.