Katherine Jenkins

Cherished as one of Britain’s all-time favourite singers, Katherine Jenkins – officially The No.1 selling ‘Classical Music Artist of the Last 25 Years’ by Classic FM – is the world’s most prolific artist in UK Classical chart history. Now Katherine returns to Dubai for her rescheduled show at Dubai Opera, performing songs from her latest album Guiding Light. We caught up with the classical superstar ahead of her show…

What’s the first song you remember singing?

The first song I ever sang was Going down the garden to eat worms. I remember being four years old and telling my Mum that there was going to be a school show and could she please teach me a song. For some reason she chose this very silly but funny song. She taught me all the actions and I remember performing this song to the best of my ability and the audience all laughing and cheering me on.

Your favourite ever concert that you performed?

New Year’s Eve in Berlin has always been a special show for me because I sang a concert in the run-up to midnight at the Brandenburg Gate where a million people lined the streets. That’s definitely my biggest audience. Other concerts that are very dear to my heart are things like singing for Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Your operatic hero?

My operatic hero would be

Maria Callas. I am obsessed with her life and her work and I think that the emotion in her voice is so spectacular, she constantly gives me shivers when she sings. When I was learning to sing I would study her recordings religiously, in particular her performance of Una Voce Poco Fa.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a singer?

As well as being a singer, I am a mum of two young children: Aaliyah who is four and Xander who is 21 months and so if I wasn’t singing I would spend all my time with them. Friends tease me all the time that I would make a really good taxi driver as I always know the shortcut to the fastest route.

What three things do you always take on tour?

My iPad so that I can video call

my children which is vitally important. Secondly, would be Throat Tea, Echinacea and all my vitamins to keep me healthy and fighting fit for the performance, and thirdly I have a little good luck charm which I always carry with me when I’m singing. It’s a little silver Welsh love spoon.

What first comes to mind when you think of performing in Dubai?

I absolutely love Dubai so a huge smile comes across my face when I think about singing there. I have been very lucky to have performed several times, but I’m especially excited for this trip because it’s my first time singing at Dubai Opera. The way I view Dubai is that everything is always done to the highest of standards so I’m really excited to see the opera house, to hear the acoustic and to meet its wonderful people.

Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Wed 7.30pm, Dhs295. Tel: (04) 4408888. dubaiopera.com