Singing into an iphone doesn’t compare to seeing people’s faces
Katherine Jenkins tells MARION MCMULLEN how lockdown concerts at home turned into a family effort
OPERA star Katherine Jenkins has travelled the world singing for royalty, presidents and the Pope, but when the pandemic brought a halt to international concerts she carried on singing... at home.
Katherine went online to stage free concerts, which quickly became a family affair with husband Andrew operating the camera and their two young children, Aaliyah and Xander, happily dancing in the background.
“I started those home concerts on Facebook every Saturday thinking it would probably be three or four weeks,” smiles the Welsh singing star. “I never in a million years thought we would actually go on for a year and I think it was really trying to use music in a positive way.”
The ‘at-home’ concerts amassed more than five million views and reached a global audience. Katherine says: “When I started I thought ‘I can’t do anything amazing like the frontline workers and the NHS but what can I do to help?’ and I think I was going back to my roots when I was singing for the Forces and it was ‘How can I boost morale?’
“And because we were doing the concerts from home, it became that family effort and my poor husband was roped in to sorting out Wi-fi issues and playing backing tracks and my kids were dancing around in the background and it was lovely for us.
“I also think the fans really liked it because they got such an insight into my family. That’s the feedback I got back that they really liked getting to know Andrew and the kids a bit more.”
She laughs: “It was also just nice to have a reason to put on some make-up and a dress and have a date night with my husband after.
“When I look back, I think ‘I can’t believe we did that’ but singing into an iphone does not compare to seeing people’s faces. As I was singing there were comments flashing up from all over the world. It was great, but nothing is going to beat being out there and seeing people singing along and clapping their hands and getting emotional. I can’t wait to connect with all of that again and to really enjoy what we’ve not been able to do for so long.” The 41-year-old says returning to live performances again has been emotional. “I did Songs Of Praise in Westminster Abbey for the 60th anniversary programme on the BBC and afterwards I burst into tears. It was so emotional and I was a bit embarrassed because I didn’t imagine I would have that reaction, but it really got me. I’d forgotten what it all felt like.”
Katherine is one of the world’s most prolific artists in UK Classical chart history and is a favourite of the Royal Family having been invited to sing God Save The Queen at Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee, to perform at Her Majesty’s Coronation Concerts at Buckingham Palace and – by special request – at Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle.
She has acted, been revealed as Octopus on ITV’S The Masked Singer, sold out tours all over the world and duetted with such names as Andrea Bocelli, José Carreras, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Bryn Terfel, Rolando Villazon, and Il Divo.
A trained teacher, she used her skills for home schooling during the pandemic, but admits: “I still found it very different teaching my own child as well as managing concerts and working myself.” She smiles: “I had one home schooling and one toddler more into playing. It was a crazy balancing act and I have massive respect for teachers. It’s hard doing one-onone, I don’t know how they do it.
“I’ve been admiring friends who have been posting their sourdough baking or their latest DIY job. I didn’t learn anything new. I simply survived in terms of managing my children and housework and job – all of those things every working mum in the UK had to do.”
Katherine is now back on tour and says: “I want it to be an entertaining, joyful, uplifting night. Part of the concert is music from my last album, Cinema Paradiso, with highlights of films like Singin’ In The Rain, West Side Story and Moon River from Breakfast At Tiffany’s – feel good movies. I’ll also be singing songs from past albums and some favourites and a Christmas section to get everyone in a Christmas mood.” She adds: “I’ll send them off singing some Christmas tunes.
“The same spirit of the home concerts is what I promise to bring to this forthcoming tour, my first in more than two years. After what we’ve all been through we have earned and deserve a night of joy.
“I can’t wait. It’s been like a distant dream wondering it it’s ever going to happen. Now we are doing it again and I’m really excited to be back in a real theatre with real musicians and singing to real live people. It’s just been such a long time coming.”
■ Go to katherinejenkins.co.uk for tour dates. Tickets available via gigsandtours.com and ticketmaster.co.uk