Four star rating STUNNING soprano singer Katherine Jenkins singed off this year s Kenwood House picnic concerts – bringing two months of world class music to a close. Resplendent in a colourful array of evening dresses, Ms Jenkin

KATHERINE JENKINS

Kenwood

Four star rating

STUNNING soprano singer Katherine Jenkins singed off this year's Kenwood House picnic concerts - bringing two months of world class music to a close.

Resplendent in a colourful array of evening dresses, Ms Jenkins, 28, sparkled as her powerful voice reverberated across the Heath. Her classical performances, which included Time to Say Goodbye and a spirited rendering of Welsh folk songs hilariously rounded off with Delilah, were expertly accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra while four-piece tenor band Blake contributed spine chilling classic hits such as Swing Low Sweet Chariot and Leonard Cohen's glorious Hallelujah.

The timing of the concert with its flag-waving medley of patriotic songs, could not have been more pertinent, following Team GB's Olympic success in Beijing. The atmosphere was euphoric and proud, Britain at its best, you could almost hear people say.

Ms Jenkins once again proved herself to be that intoxicating mix of world class opera singer, Welsh beauty and down-to-earth, girl-next door; making even the most hardened critics go weak at the knees.

In between performances, she engaged in amiable chat in her lilting Welsh tones.

"I'd just like to say hello to my family who are here tonight" she giggled, before draping herself in the Welsh flag and provoking a cheer from her home-grown fans.

Afterwards she told the Ham&High: "I loved every minute. It was brilliant because the whole audience got behind us. I particularly enjoyed all the Prom stuff, although there was a moment when I thought there was going to be a downpour."

The soprano, who now lives in Highgate, will now fly to Iraq for three days to bring some light relief - and perhaps some of those stunning dresses - to the troops.

Charlotte Newton