Katherine Jenkins

On Sunday 6 August the core EDF Energy Spafest programme drew to a spectacular finale with classical singing sensation Katherine Jenkins, and what a performance.

Katherine perfectly combined popular material, an enchanting voice and, it has to be said, four stunning dresses to deliver a performance that pleased both the ear and eye.

From the outset, she captured the audience, taking them up to a place where music touches the heart and soul - well-known songs like My Way, We’ll Meet Again, and Italian versions of the pop ballads I Will Always Love You and Everything I Do took their place alongside pieces from popular operas and the traditional welsh song Dafydd y gareg wen.

"Why should the tenors get all the best tunes," she chuckled in her delightful Welsh accent as she launched into Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera, a crowd-pleaser that was accompanied by the duet All I Ask of You, sung with special guest and recent Universal Classics signing Nicky Spence.

Nicky also performed four wonderful solos including Maria, A Chloris, L’Ultima Canzione and the traditional Scottish song My Love Is a Red Red Rose.

Scottish tenor Nicky Spence also proved that he had more than just an incredible voice as he announced in his Kilt that he was glad the concert wasn’t outside as the wind might induce a Marilyn Munroe moment, which Tunbridge Wells might not be ready for!

With two encores and a standing ovation the evening drew to a close in true ‘last night of the proms’ style as the audience joined in Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.

It was a magnificent evening. Katherine Jenkins has the ability to make classical music connect with the masses, Tunbridge Wells is extremely privileged to have had such a wonderful perfomer and event come to the town.