Classical woes: BBC Radio 3 recruits Katherine Jenkins

In a clear sign of the classical station’s desperate confusion, it will devote two hours next weekend to the Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins.

The programme is titled ‘Mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins finds star quality in music’.

The blurb continues: Known to millions, mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins has forged a unique musical path, from headlining at international sporting events and for dignitaries around the world, to starring in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel at the London Coliseum. Bridging the worlds of classical and pop, the multi-award-winning singer has released no fewer than fourteen No. 1 Albums to date, and in July of this year became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music.

Jenkins, 41, is described in mass media as ‘an opera singer’. She has never sung an opera. She holds a music teacher’s diploma from the RAM and went on to make million-selling crossover records. Mention of her name provokes jealous rage among professional opera singers.

Her espousal by Radio 3 will further alienate its dwindling core-classical audience.

The generic watering down of a core-classical station has taken place under Radio 3 controller Alan Davey.