WELSH mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins will play York Barbican on May 24 next year, accompanied by the London Concert Orchestra, conducted by musical director Anthony Inglis.
Tickets go on sale on September 7 for An Evening With Katherine Jenkins, a 22-date tour that will follow the November 30 release of Guiding Light – "the most intimate album I have ever made", she says – on the Decca label, Stormzy cover and all!
For Jenkins, Britain’s best-selling classical artist of the last 25 years, this album represents the culmination of a deeply emotional journey that began when her beloved father, Selwyn, died and she found a new path after she became a mother.
"It is an album which speaks of life, hope, acceptance and a universal spirituality, and for Katherine there is a sense of a greater purpose to her performance," says her publicity machine.
Guiding Light comprises 15 new recordings of Jenkins' personal favourites old and new; from the time-honoured Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace and Morning Has Broken to covers of London grime act Stormzy’s Blinded By Your Grace and Never Enough from The Greatest Showman, alongside original material such as Xander’s Song, written for the newest addition to her family, her son born earlier this year.
"I have a life now I don’t think I ever expected to have," says Jenkins, 38. "I am very happy, very blessed and I feel incredibly grateful. I feel whole new layers of emotion which have really taken me by surprise and made me feel like I have found myself, found my true voice.
“My voice has changed. This album is the most intimate album I have ever made. It’s a mindful collections of songs. I’m not trying to prove anything, I’m not trying to show how many notes I can hit; I just want to take people to a place of emotion and reflection – to touch hearts and souls."
Jenkins made chart history when her last album, 2016's Celebration, became her 12th British classical number one album in 12 years. Tickets for May 24 can be booked on 0844 854 2757, at yorkbarbican.co.uk, ticketmaster.co.uk and gigsandtours.com or in person from the Barbican box office from 10am on September 7.
Charles Hutchinson
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