Katherine Jenkins @ Dudley Castle

Jun 11 2007 By Adrian Caffery, Birmingham Mail

IT was a glorious summer's evening for the visit of the classical crossover queen - and there was plenty of warmth coming from the stage, too.

Katherine Jenkins may not the best mezzo soprano in the world but there are surely none so charming, down to earth and accessible.

Between songs, the giggly 26-year-old Welsh beauty told a lengthy joke (complete with 'na-na' police car sirens) and announced that she had earlier adopted a baby penguin at the castle zoo. She even said some 'happy birthdays'.

Katherine was backed by the National Symphony Orchestra and between the opera numbers there were show tunes (Music Of The Night, I Could Have Danced All Night), popular numbers (We'll Meet Again, I Will Always Love You) and traditional songs (Granada, Cymru Fach).

The climax was a bit 'Last Night Of The Proms' with Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory and Katherine left the stage - in her fifth frock of the evening - to a standing ovation.

She was supported by Canadian twins Ryan and Dan Kowarsky (Ryan Dan), who were like the X-Factor's MacDonald Brothers only better and could have a big future.