What is it about Katherine Jenkins voice that leaves me cold?

[naomi24]

Beautiful voice, undeniably, but it does absolutely nothing for me. I watched Pop Star to Opera Star tonight, and one of the contestants sang 'One Fine Day' from Madame Butterfly - not brilliantly but good enough to give me the usual goosebumps I experience when I hear that particular aria, so I wondered if Katherine Jenkins, singing the same piece, would produce the same effect. A quick trip to YouTube - and no, she doesn't - but I can't think why. Does anyone else feel the same about her?

[lardhelmet]

There wont be a straight guy on here that will agree with you naomi - they're not thinking about her voice! See AB "Is Catherine Jenkins wearing a yellow Plastic dress" in the TV category. I just think she's so full of her own poo-poo, I can't get past that

[Captin Kirk]

I could sort that out for her!!! ...

[Captin Kirk]

sorry^^^ ... hee hee hee

[lardhelmet]

Quelle surprise Captin

[looobylooo]

im with you naomi, i really dont like to hear her sing, i think she sounds 'nasally'

[joggerjayne]

I saw her in concert in Brighton in 2008. She was good.

The one who I think is really over-rated (by herself) is that Garrett woman.

[Captin Kirk]

can't stand all that argh argh argh stuff she comes out with every time she speaks ...

[lardhelmet]

Isn't she from up north somewhere - like Watford?

[naomi24]

Yes, JJ, but I'm willing the gamble that Garrett's 'One Fine Day' would have more chance of producing the desired effect. Steady there boys! There's just something 'not right' about Katherine Jenkins tone.

[Marijn]

Perhaps she doesn't sing with feeling. If I hear someone putting their heart into a song it gives me goosepimples, even if they don't sing very tunefully.

[missprim]

I thought she was from Wales.Not a fan of Opera myself but don't mind listening to some singers but not KJ.

[andy-hughes]

I cannot speak from any authority here, I know nothing about opera, but it raises an interesting debate about genres, and the appeal of artists within them.

'Pop' opera stars like Paul Potts are not, I am reliably informed, particularly technically accomplished singers, but they appeal to a mass audience who frankly don't know, or indeed care, about the difference. Maybe Ms Jenkins falls into this catagory as well - I really have no idea, but it's perfectly possible that her lack of emotion affects you in the way that Whitney Houston's absence of feeling in any song affects me.

I do believe that in a lot of famous songs - operatic and popular, the strength of the song means that an indifferent performance can sound far better than it is, carried along on the emotion of the original composition. 'Nessun Dorma' (sp?) springs to mind - anyone who can carry a tune in a bucket can sound great with that song.

But to return to your question, I find Ms Jenkins sounds perfectly acceptable, no more, no less, but as i say, I am no judge.

[jason.p]

Trouble is with Katherine Jenkins is that she is a mezzo soprano and doesn't come across as a good soprano like Callas or Angela Georgiou, singing soprano pieces Always sounds too "gutteral" to me.

[paddywak]

Angela Georgiou now she is gal whose voice can raise the goosebumps

[Rodge2]

Naomi, I know exactly what you mean. But I can't explain why I can't appreciate her singing either. I really like Lesley Garrett though.

[Whickerman]

Possibly off topic, but I thought she destroyed Rhydian's chance of winning X Factor with this cringeworthy duet in the final:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8O6Vqn4nNk

and for the record, here's his finest moment
http://www.youtube.co...sEDfU&feature=related

[naomi24]

Sorry for the delay, but thanks for all your answers. I'm pleased so many agree, because I like opera and I thought I was odd in not liking her. I listened to her tonight singing a duet with Bernie Nolan on Pop Star to Opera Star, and I much preferred Bernie's voice even though she isn't a professional opera singer. Katherine sounded very nasal to me. Anyway, thanks again.

[Rodgethedodge]

Her voice seems very nasal which produces all the wrong harmonics. She sings the song well but it lacks emotional content. Sara Brightman (my favourite) and many other singers have a more open sound. Listen to her with Andrea Bocelli singing "Time to say Goodbye".

[andy-hughes]

naomi - // Beautiful voice, undeniably, but it does absolutely nothing for me. I watched Pop Star to Opera Star tonight, and one of the contestants sang 'One Fine Day' from Madame Butterfly - not brilliantly but good enough to give me the usual goosebumps I experience when I hear that particular aria, so I wondered if Katherine Jenkins, singing the same piece, would produce the same effect. A quick trip to YouTube - and no, she doesn't - but I can't think why. Does anyone else feel the same about her? //

I think your post speaks to the differences in appeal in any art form.

What one person finds musical, funny, interesting, another finds atonal, off-key, tedious, and so on.

If you appreciate any art in any depth at all, you will always find another piece of art in the same medium that does not move you, and mystifies you as to the appeal to others.

People whom I like, and whose opinions on most things I agree with, baffle me by finding Michael McIntyre anything but a flutey-voiced prancing ninny, and Coldplay worthy of three or so minutes of their listening time, and even more baffling - a portion of their music purchase budget.

Unlike yourself, I do not find opera moving in the slightest - but vive le difference I say!

[andy-hughes]

Looks like I replied again without noticing I had already responded.

Still, consistency is a good thing ...