Rugby World Cup 2011: Hayley is THE voice of ITV!

[Dave]

Hi everyone,

This week's Music Week magazine in the UK has reported that:

Hayley will be the 'voice' of ITV's Rugby World Cup coverage in the UK!

They tell us that Hayley has recorded for ITV a special version of the theme tune of the Rugby World Cup World in Union, which she sings half in Maori and half in English.

Additionally, they say Hayley will be singing 'live' at the stadium before at least one key game in the tournament. She is of course a big supporter of the All Blacks and as we know, has sung before their matches many times. Here's a quote from the article:

"Shortly after the release of Paradiso in the UK, the Rugby World Cup will kick off in New Zealand and not only will the stalwart All Blacks fan be singing live at the stadium before at least one key game, she will also be the voice of ITV’s coverage of the tournament.

Westenra has recorded a special version of World In Union, the theme tune of the Rugby World, sung half in Maori and half in English for ITV."

ITV is the official UK television broadcaster for the Rugby World Cup, it will take place between 9th September and 23rd October 2011 in New Zealand and is apparently the third most popular sporting tournament in the World (after the Olympics and Football/Soccer World Cup).

The official announcement by ITV and Hayley's management Bandana is expected today (Thursday 28 July) and hopefully, that will confirm this good news and give us some more details. Sorry but we were asked to keep this back until Thursday in the UK as Music Week seem to have jumped the gun for subscribers (but have openly published online before 9 am on Thursday).

To read the complete Music Week article about Hayley's ten years in the recorded music industry see the HWI website:

Music Week: Westenra's Way To Paradise

or see the separate forum thread entitled: Music Week (30 July issue)

Good news for Hayley - and Paradiso!

Hayley sings the NZ National Anthem in an All Blacks shirt
Barbarians vs. All Blacks at Twickenham, London: 12 May 2009

Cheers, Dave

[martindn]

WOW, that's fantastic! Well done Hayley and Bandana! I look forward to hearing the new recording.

It is not unknown for me to tune in to a sports event just to hear the anthems sung, and not watch the game afterwards. Sad I know!

Martin D

[jimg]

HayleyWestenraHayley Westenra
On my way to ITV for a special announcement.... Watch this space

[jimg]

A series of photos has been posted by Gareth of Getty Images.


Link t.co/ZjWQT3H

[Dave]

Thanks Jim,

So THAT was the balancing Hayley tweeted about!

Not sure if we can post them here though - Getty Images can be quite nasty about even watermarked photos but links are fine.

Here is the caption:

LONDON - JULY 27: The world's biggest-selling soprano, Hayley Westenra, has today been announced as the voice of ITV's coverage of this years Rugby World Cup, with her version of 'World In Union'. The multi-million selling artist releases her fifth album, 'Paradiso', that has been produced by film composing legend Ennio Morricone, on 29th August. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

So we have confirmation of the Music Week information.

Cheers, Dave

[Dave]

OK, after a bit of arm twisting by Jillian who found some more photos then went to bed I will post a couple of good sized thumbnails, with links to where you can view larger versions i.e. www.daylife.com/search?q=Hayley+Westenra+Rugby



Hopefully we will get some video of this photoshoot at some point.

Cheers, Dave

[Richard]

Hello folks!

From metro.co.uk:

Hayley Westenra marks Rugby World Cup ITV tie-up by standing on scrum

New Zealand songstress Hayley Westenra has been snapped with a number of burly rugby players to mark her ITV tie-up for this year's Rugby World Cup.

Better known for her voice than her sporting prowess, the singer is pictured stood hand on hip, on top of a scrum, rugby ball under one arm.

The snap has been released to mark the tie-up between the stunning singer and ITV, after she was named as the official voice of the tournament for audiences in the UK.

Hayley's version of World in Union is to accompany the games screened by ITV, which will be broadcasting from the opening match on September 9th to the final on October 23rd.

Although classical music and rugby are not two pastimes which would ordinarily go hand in hand, Hayley has had plenty of experience performing for sports fans, singing a rendition of the New Zealand national anthem for the All Blacks rugby team.

She's also performed at the FA Cup Final, before European Champions League games and even at NBA matches in the US, so she is more than at home surrounded by sweaty sportsmen.

Hayley's latest album Paradiso, produced by film composer Ennio Morricone, is set to be released on August 29th.

[/size][/quote]
The rugby players have been cut out of the online photograph, so I haven't posted it.

Richard

[Richard]

Hayley has tweeted a link to the photographs:

Hayley Westenra
"Hayley Westenra Is Announced As The Voice Of ITV's Rugby World Cup Coverage" tinyurl.com/3fg4oep

Richard

[grant]

Hello everyone

Well there was nothing on the teatime ITV news, so I wonder when it's going to be announced?

Best wishes
Grant

[Libby]

I feel really dumb, but what exactly do they mean by her being the "voice" of the coverage? Does that only refer to her singing the anthems like they said, or does it also mean she's going to do commentating, or reports of the games for ITV? They're assuming everyone knows what being the "voice" means, but unfortunately I don't. I must be the only one not clear on that, otherwise they might think to explain further.

[Dave]

Hi Libby,

I assume that it means ITV will use all or part of Hayley's "World In Union" recording as the theme tune for each of their programmes. ITV is the UK's biggest commercial broadcaster and is not pay-TV, so the audiences could be quite big.

The programmes will probably be live matches on roughly 23 separate days, plus at least one highlights programme on each of those days. The matches take place UK time after midnight or at breakfast time but highlights programmes will be in the daytime or evening, perhaps both.

They might also use Hayley's recording in short promo slots for their programmes, including in the weeks leading up to the start of the tournament - which just happens to be when Paradiso is released. So it should hang around in the charts for longer than usual and might get a nice boost at the start, too. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Cheers, Dave

[Libby]

Oh. That's all? Is that going to be sort of like when they play the Olympic fanfare throughout the Olympics coverage? I was hoping she would do some reporting for them.
So, she will be singing live in New Zealand for one (or more) of the games? See, I thought she probably would. Apparently Bandana doesn't think it will interfere with Paradiso. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[gra7890]

MartinD

It won't be the Rugby thing though, Americans have their own version of that game

Libby

Martin, I am aware of what sports are popular in this country, since I do live here

Pool C
Australia, Ireland, Italy , Russia, USA

Looks like both of you need to do some research


Graham

[Dave]

Jul 28, 2011 23:22:00 GMT Libby said:

Oh. That's all? Is that going to be sort of like when they play the Olympic fanfare throughout the Olympics coverage? I was hoping she would do some reporting for them.

I think this is better because (if I'm right) millions of people who have never heard her voice will hear it, and the rest will be reminded of it just when her new album is out. A record company's dream!

Jul 28, 2011 23:22:00 GMT Libby said:

So, she will be singing live in New Zealand for one (or more) of the games? See, I thought she probably would. Apparently Bandana doesn't think it will interfere with Paradiso. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Well it wouldn't interfere, if it's for the final or one or more of the last few matches. The semi finals and finals are on October 15 and 23rd (I'm guessing that's when they'd want her).

Incidentally, I think the Kiwi media might be getting upset about this, judging by NZ Herald and a couple of other reports: www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10741606

They seem to think Hayley has defected to being an England supporter, whiich I am sure is not true! Bandana are going to have to do some damage limitation, methinks...

Dave

[Libby]

Sorry, but the most popular sports here are baseball, American football, basketball, then maybe soccer. I almost never hear a mention of rugby. High schools do have rugby teams. I probably will hear some about the world cup. But otherwise, I never hear a word. Not that I pay very much attention to sports. But I never see rugby players on the front of the sports section, and can't recall ever hearing about it on a news broadcast.

I don't know what "Pool C" means. So I guess that's supposed to show me that we have a rugby team? Come on, I don't live under a rock. The fact that we have rugby teams does not mean rugby is that popular. In no way is it anywhere near as popular as the sports I mentioned above. I hear about golf more than I hear about rugby.