Post by Sing on Nov 12, 2008 16:41:07 GMT
Sorry if this has been posted before:
I've just got a copy of Classic FM December issue and there is a bit with Hayley which is mentioned on the front cover.
"Hayley Westenra's review of the year"
Here is the article:
Happy 21st Birthday! Hayley Westenra
Among her achievements this year- a clutch of awards, a number one hit in Japan- the Kiwi soprano with the 'pure voice' turned 21 as she tells Sarah Kirkup
Hayley's first international album was called Pure in recognition of her astonishingly clear and pure-sounding soprano voice. Hard to believe the New Zealand star was only 15 when she released that CD in 2003. Now, six years older, the 21-year-old Hayley can reflect on a few short years of steady success, quietly building audiences, album sales- and a shelf for those awards. Not that in 2008 the singer allowed herself much time for reflections. Tours of New Zealand and Japan, further work in her capacity as an abassador for UNICEF, many summer festival appearances and, in the middle of it all, a recording of West Side Story saw to that.But one still comes back to the fact that Hayley, who has achieved so much, is only barely into her twenties. Imagine what the next 10 years could hold.
How will you be spending Christmas this year?
I'm going back home to New Zealand. I've learnt that I have to be firm; it's too tempting to say 'yes I can do that' to every concert offer you get. I have to make sure my mum doesn't get stressed cooking the roast dinner!
What's your ideal Christmas present?
A donation to UNICEF- someone putting money towards a water pump. I'm an ambassador for the charity and I've had a lot of fans come up to me saying "I wanted to get you something for your birthday- I've made a donation to UNICEF." It's wonderful that they took the initiative.
WHat have been your highlights of this year?
I was back in New Zealand last January where I did an amazing vineyard concert. And then I won the Global Kiwi Achievers award. It recognises New Zealanders who are achieving internationally. I also had success in Japan. I made an album of Japanese songs in English. The single reached number one in the pop charts and the album, number 10.
Did you enjoy recording West Side Story?
It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story. Vitorrio Grigolo [the Italian tenor who joined Hayley on the recording] has a huge personality; he's definitely one of a kind. He had so much energy. I really caught that from him.
Tell us about your new 'best of....' album River of Dreams.
There are so many of my recordings floating around it's nice to have the opportunity to put together an album with all my favourites on it. I had fun choosing the tracks. I perform "Pokarekare ana" at every concert; "Who painted the moon black?" appeals to Kiwis and younger people. My duet with Bocelli "Del amore'- I had to include that; and of course "Benedictus" from Karl Jenkins' Mass for Peace. It's a mixture of styles that really sums me up.
How is your voice changing?
I was 15 when I recorded Pure, my first album; now I'm 21. That's a time when your voice is changing dramatically. But I want to remain true to my natural voice. I'd like to have more singing lessons but I've always been concious not to sound like my singing teacher. MY voice must take its own course.
What's instore for 2009?
I'm looking forward to working on a new album for next year and experimenting with different song styles. My Japanese album taught me that you have to take risks if you want to move forward, so I'm being more carefree in my approach to album making.
There is also a bit more about the River of Dreams album and a few photos too.
///Sing
I've just got a copy of Classic FM December issue and there is a bit with Hayley which is mentioned on the front cover.
"Hayley Westenra's review of the year"
Here is the article:
Happy 21st Birthday! Hayley Westenra
Among her achievements this year- a clutch of awards, a number one hit in Japan- the Kiwi soprano with the 'pure voice' turned 21 as she tells Sarah Kirkup
Hayley's first international album was called Pure in recognition of her astonishingly clear and pure-sounding soprano voice. Hard to believe the New Zealand star was only 15 when she released that CD in 2003. Now, six years older, the 21-year-old Hayley can reflect on a few short years of steady success, quietly building audiences, album sales- and a shelf for those awards. Not that in 2008 the singer allowed herself much time for reflections. Tours of New Zealand and Japan, further work in her capacity as an abassador for UNICEF, many summer festival appearances and, in the middle of it all, a recording of West Side Story saw to that.But one still comes back to the fact that Hayley, who has achieved so much, is only barely into her twenties. Imagine what the next 10 years could hold.
How will you be spending Christmas this year?
I'm going back home to New Zealand. I've learnt that I have to be firm; it's too tempting to say 'yes I can do that' to every concert offer you get. I have to make sure my mum doesn't get stressed cooking the roast dinner!
What's your ideal Christmas present?
A donation to UNICEF- someone putting money towards a water pump. I'm an ambassador for the charity and I've had a lot of fans come up to me saying "I wanted to get you something for your birthday- I've made a donation to UNICEF." It's wonderful that they took the initiative.
WHat have been your highlights of this year?
I was back in New Zealand last January where I did an amazing vineyard concert. And then I won the Global Kiwi Achievers award. It recognises New Zealanders who are achieving internationally. I also had success in Japan. I made an album of Japanese songs in English. The single reached number one in the pop charts and the album, number 10.
Did you enjoy recording West Side Story?
It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story. Vitorrio Grigolo [the Italian tenor who joined Hayley on the recording] has a huge personality; he's definitely one of a kind. He had so much energy. I really caught that from him.
Tell us about your new 'best of....' album River of Dreams.
There are so many of my recordings floating around it's nice to have the opportunity to put together an album with all my favourites on it. I had fun choosing the tracks. I perform "Pokarekare ana" at every concert; "Who painted the moon black?" appeals to Kiwis and younger people. My duet with Bocelli "Del amore'- I had to include that; and of course "Benedictus" from Karl Jenkins' Mass for Peace. It's a mixture of styles that really sums me up.
How is your voice changing?
I was 15 when I recorded Pure, my first album; now I'm 21. That's a time when your voice is changing dramatically. But I want to remain true to my natural voice. I'd like to have more singing lessons but I've always been concious not to sound like my singing teacher. MY voice must take its own course.
What's instore for 2009?
I'm looking forward to working on a new album for next year and experimenting with different song styles. My Japanese album taught me that you have to take risks if you want to move forward, so I'm being more carefree in my approach to album making.
There is also a bit more about the River of Dreams album and a few photos too.
///Sing
