Katherine Jenkins 25 year anniversary tour

MCD Presents

KATHERINE JENKINS

25 Year Anniversary Tour

Plus Support

Waterfront Hall, Belfast – October 27th

Tickets on Sale Friday 20th February at 10am from Ticketmaster.ie and waterfront.co.uk

The UK’s Biggest selling classical artist of the century, Katherine Jenkins OBE is pleased to announce a very special Belfast show at the Waterfront Hall on October 27th plus special guest to celebrate the 25 year anniversary tour.

Few artists have bridged the worlds of classical and popular music with the grace, warmth and artistry of Katherine Jenkins OBE. Known for her luminous mezzo- soprano voice and radiant stage presence, KJ has become a treasured figure in British musical life and one of the world’s most successful classical crossover artists. Her journey from a small town in South Wales to international acclaim is a story of talent, dedication, and a deep belief in the power of music to comfort and inspire.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Born in Neath, Wales, on 29 June 1980, Katherine grew up in a close-knit family with her parents, Selwyn and Susan, and her sister Laura. Her early years were filled with music; she began singing in her local church choir and quickly showed a remarkable natural gift. As a young chorister, she joined the Royal School of Church Music Cathedral Singers and went on to win the prestigious St Cecilia Award, the organisation’s highest honour for female choristers. She also sang with the National Youth Choir of Wales and twice won the BBC Radio 2 Welsh Choirgirl of the Year competition.

Katherine’s musical promise was nurtured alongside a disciplined education. At Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School and later at Gorseinon College, she excelled academically, earning top grades in her GCSEs and A Levels, while performing lead roles in school productions such as Calamity Jane and Guys and Dolls. But music was always at the heart of her ambitions. At seventeen, she won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she trained under Beatrice Unsworth and graduated with honours.

A Dream Takes Flight

Her break came when she recorded a dance remix of The Flower Duet, which found its way to Universal Classics and Jazz. The record label was so impressed that they offered her a six-album contract - the most lucrative classical recording deal ever granted at that time.

Her debut album, Premiere (2004), made history, becoming the fastest-selling classical album of all time by a UK artist. The album’s success catapulted her into the public eye and heralded the arrival of a new kind of classical star - one who could blend traditional repertoire with accessibility and glamour. Her follow-up albums, Second Nature and Living a Dream, both topped the classical charts and her two consecutive Classic BRIT Awards for Album of the Year. By the age of 26, Katherine Jenkins had sold over four million albums and had firmly established herself as a national treasure.

Rising Stardom and International Success

Throughout the mid-2000s, KJ’s rise was extraordinary. Her blend of operatic arias, hymns, musical theatre songs, and popular classics found audiences well beyond traditional classical circles. She performed “Abide With Me” before more than 70,000 fans at the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final, sang at the 60th Anniversary of VE Day in Trafalgar Square, and became a familiar presence at major national events, often lending her voice to moments of reflection and pride. Katherine’s dedication to the British Armed Forces became a defining element of her career. She travelled to Iraq and Afghanistan to sing for troops stationed overseas, bringing comfort and a touch of home during the Christmas seasons. Her performances of “Amazing Grace” at Live 8 Berlin and the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall further cemented her reputation as a voice for hope and unity.

Her subsequent albums, including Serenade (2006), Rejoice (2007) and Sacred Arias (2008), continued her chart success and showcased a growing artistic range. Collaborations with songwriters such as Gary Barlow and producers from across genres allowed her to bring a contemporary sensibility to classical music, while remaining true to her roots. In 2008, she signed a landmark £5.8 million deal with Warner Music — the largest classical recording contract in history — and released Believe (2009), an album that featured duets with Andrea Bocelli and performances with André Rieu and Chris Botti. The record’s title reflected both a personal and artistic statement: that faith, optimism, and perseverance are at the core of her artistry.

A Voice for All Occasions

As her international profile grew, Katherine’s career expanded into concert tours, television appearances, and humanitarian work. She has performed at the Sydney Opera House, the Dubai Opera House, the Mariinsky Theatre and the Royal Albert Hall, and has sung for His Majesty King Charles III (then Prince of Wales), Pope John Paul II, and numerous world leaders. Her ability to connect with audiences from intimate church recitals to global broadcasts, has made her one of the most recognisable classical voices of her generation.

Katherine’s television appearances have introduced her to millions more. She has graced the stage at The Royal Variety Performance, appeared as Abigail Pettigrew in the Doctor Who Christmas Special A Christmas Carol, and reached a new American audience as runner-up on Dancing with the Stars in 2012. She later presented BBC’s Songs of Praise, a natural home for her blend of faith and music. Her artistry has continued to evolve through a wide range of collaborations, from her theatrical turn as Julie Jordan in Carousel at the English National Opera to her Christmas concerts and film performances. Her Katherine Jenkins Christmas Spectacular at the Royal Albert Hall in 2020 brought audiences together during the challenges of the pandemic, and her feature film debut in Minamata (2020), alongside Johnny Depp, showcased her versatility as a performer.

Later Albums and Lasting Legacy

Returning to Decca Records, Katherine released Home Sweet Home (2014), followed by Celebration (2016) - a joyful tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, and Guiding Light (2018), an album inspired by faith, family, and gratitude. Guiding Light topped the UK Classical Chart, making her the first classical artist in history to achieve fourteen number-one albums. In 2017, she was named by Classic FM as the best-selling classical artist of the past 25 years.

In 2022, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Katherine was asked by the BBC to record the first performance of God Save the King for His Majesty King Charles III - a moment of great historical and emotional significance. Her dignified and heartfelt rendition marked a new chapter for the nation and underscored her position as one of Britain’s most trusted and beloved voices in times of national remembrance and celebration.

Beyond the Stage

Away from the spotlight, Katherine remains grounded in her Welsh heritage and committed to giving back. A dedicated supporter of numerous charities, she has raised significant funds for Macmillan Cancer Support (inspired by the memory of her father, who passed away when she was fifteen) and continues to use her platform to champion causes close to her heart. In recognition of her services to music and charity, she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours.

In 2023 Katherine received the great honour of being asked to be the Lady Sponsor of HMS Cardiff, the newest war ship for the Royal Navy, due to be commissioned in 2027. Formerly this role has only been given to female members of the Royal family or senior military personnel and her sister ship, HMS Glasgow’s sponsor is the Princess of Wales.

Recently, Katherine added yet another string to her bow by becoming a female entrepreneur launching her own luxury gin brand Cygnet. Selling out within the first week of launching and winning a host of global awards due to its innovative design, high-quality botanicals and a dominant focus on sustainability, Cygnet has since gone on to launch internationally in several countries including the US.

An Enduring Inspiration

Over two decades since her debut, Katherine Jenkins continues to enchant audiences with her extraordinary voice and her unerring ability to communicate emotion through music. Her career has been marked not only by record-breaking achievements but by a rare sincerity - a sense that every note she sings carries with it gratitude, remembrance, and hope. Whether performing on the world’s great stages, comforting soldiers far from home, singing hymns that speak to the heart or lullabies to her children, Katherine embodies the very best of what music can be: a bridge between people, a voice of solace, and a celebration of the human spirit

Irish Show Dates

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin – October 25th

Waterfront Hall, Belfast – October 27th