Dame Kiri Janette Te Kanawa - is a New Zealand/Māori soprano who has had a highly successful international opera career since 1968. Acclaimed as one of the most beloved sopranos in both the United Kingdom and the United States she possesses a warm full lyric soprano voice, singing a wide array of works in multiple languages from the 17th to the 20th centuries. She is particularly associated with the works of Mozart, Strauss, Verdi, Handel and Puccini.

Serenade is the fourth album by Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins, released on 6 November 2006, in the UK. It charted at number 5 on the UK Albums Chart and at number 1 on the UK Classical Album Chart.

Second Nature is the second album by Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins, released on 18 October 2004, in the UK. It charted at number 16 on the UK Albums Chart and at number 1 on the UK Classical Album Chart.

Premiere, as the title indicates, is the debut album by British light classical vocalist Katherine Jenkins. A technically gifted soprano who also has an unmistakable grace and lightness to her tone, Jenkins is a wonderfully expressive singer. The 14 tracks here focus on the classical side of her repertoire, although a small handful of folk and pop tunes add variety and depth.

Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi (La Roncole, Italy, October 9 or 10, 1813 – January 27, 1901) was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers in the 19th century. His works are frequently performed in opera houses throughout the world and, transcending the boundaries of the genre, some of his themes have long since taken root in popular culture - such as "La donna è mobile" from Rigoletto, "Va, pensiero" (The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco, and "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" (The Drinking Song) from La traviata.

Given his versatility -- skipping from opera to art song, and even Broadway show tunes with an enviable ease -- Bryn Terfel is the perfect candidate to pull off what so many operatic stars try without success: a musically satisfying crossover album. Unfortunately, this isn't it. The opening "Toréador" from Carmen is over-sung and lacks style; the folk songs, like "Danny Boy" and "Shenandoah," and even the Welsh "Bugeilo'r Gwenith Gwyn" are shapeless and bombastic; and in general, these favorites are sorely missing the expressive imagination, soul, and vocal charisma that made Terfel such a star.