Kate Royal: Debut album in September

British Soprano Kate Royal is to release her homonymous debut album on September 18th with EMI. This effectively ends a long period of waiting and high anticipations. The album is to feature works by Ravel, Stravinsky, Strauss and Delibes and follows up ensemble participations for Paul McCartney’s “Ecce Cor Meum” among others. Kate Royal has been described as anything from “A polished, patrician artist” to “the most exciting British singer” and her live performances have made her a firm insider favourite on the operatic scene, including a performance as Miranda in “The Tempest”. The first time we spoke to her, Royal was preparing for her appearance at the Klavierfestival Ruhr, where her accompanying pianist Graham Johnson was probably still more of a star than her. That has changed quickly, however. In fact, despite the minute preparations for “Kate Royal”, her career has switched to the fast lane after her decision to go for classical music 100% and to leave her second passion, the piano, behind. Released shortly after the publication a gargantuan box set of Maria Callas’ complete recordings and sandwiched between Angela Gheorghiu’s “La Scala Recital Album” and "La Sonnambula" with Natalie Dessay, Kate Royal is obviously one of the big girls now and considered a top priority by EMI.

Even though there is wide scope to the album, it has a noticeable Spanish vibe to it - the reason for this being that Kate Royal was staying in Madrid at the time of deciding upon the album’s repertoire, “going into lots of flamenco bars and listening to flamenco singing”. Quite logically, then, four sultry songs by Rodrigo and an aria by Granados have made their way to the disc, next to the aforementioned Delibes. Besides to the Spanish element, the track listing was influenced by her desire of turning her debut into a sort of musical journey through her influences. ‘It’s a portrait of the music that has been, and is, important to me,’ as Royal points out, “‘Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress was the first opera I ever saw, for example, and I was incredibly excited by it. So I’ve included Anne Trulove’s great aria.” Even though her first steps were taken in the field of jazz and cabaret, these styles have, however, not been included on the CD. “I love listening to it, but it’s not right for my voice.’”, as she explains.

Nothing should be ruled out completely, though. In our interview, she told us:”A friend recently did a concert of Ravel and Debussy piano pieces alongside some inprovised jazz works, it was facinating to hear the two performed so closely and how linked they felt.” So who knows where her colourful career may take Kate Royal. For the moment, her debut will be turning enough heads as it is.

Homepage: EMI Records