Katherine Jenkins performing her Celebration Tour at The Royal Concert Hall on Friday 23nd December 2016


Review by Kevin Cooper

Katherine Jenkins brought an early Christmas feast to the Royal Concert Hall last night as she performed the final leg of her Celebration tour to a festive, appreciative audience.

On a stage decked with Christmas trees, The London Concert Orchestra led by Anthony Inglis began the fun with a delightful Die Flerdermaus Overture, before the elegant Jenkins donned the stage looking magnificent in purple to deliver an outstanding opener Ode To Joy and a breath taking cover of Amazing Grace.

Rising to fame for her classical cross over soprano voice, she treated this audience to a mixture of Christmas standards and classical crossover hits such as Carousel’s You’ll Never Work Alone and Angels From The Realms Of Glory.

Obviously, the flavour of the night was seasonal with classics from Santa Baby to Silent Night dedicated to her 14 month old daughter; from a powerful O Holy Night to a totally beautiful little ballad, Sleep Quietly My Jesus. She also had a bit of fun as she included a belting Delilah in her Welsh section which had the whole audience on their feet.

The orchestra were given its own slot, allowing Jenkins to change into three other impressive dresses as they performed Skater’s Waltz and Sclittenfahrt Polka to the delight of the audience. Her guest for the evening was tenor Jonathan Antoine, from Britain’s Got Talent who performed a stunning version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah as well as Bring Me Home which suited his pleasant voice.

There was also time for audience participation as song sheets were handed out for both Oh Come All Ye Faithfull and Hark The Herald Angels Sing, which involved the entire audience joining in a mass carol service.

Following a mesmerizing L’Amore Sei Tu (I Will Always Love You), it was clear that the crowd felt that Christmas had well and truly arrived after having spent a festive evening with Jenkins who reminded us that she is still one of Britain’s national treasurers.