Hayley Westenra – River Of Dreams: The Very Best Of Hayley Westenra

Hayley Westenra – River Of Dreams: The Very Best Of Hayley Westenra

River Of Dreams: The Very Best Of Hayley Westenra brings together a selection of the most celebrated recordings from New Zealand soprano "Hayley Westenra". Known for her clear, soaring voice and ability to bridge classical music with contemporary, Celtic and traditional repertoire, Westenra became one of the most successful young classical crossover artists of the 2000s.

The collection opens with the beautiful title track River Of Dreams, before moving into a varied programme of traditional songs, classical favourites and contemporary compositions. Pokarekare Ana, the beloved Māori love song that became closely associated with Westenra, sits alongside the Italian-language Dell'Amore Non Si Sa, the traditional American folk song Shenandoah and the timeless The Water Is Wide.

Westenra's interpretation of Songbird and Both Sides Now demonstrates her ability to bring a classical vocal technique to well-known contemporary songs, while Ave Maria (Caccini), Benedictus and Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod) showcase the more traditionally classical side of her repertoire. Amazing Grace and Danny Boy add further Celtic and traditional character to the collection.

The album also features O Mio Babbino Caro, Puccini's famous aria from Gianni Schicchi, alongside May It Be, originally performed by "Enya" for The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring. The collection closes with Now Is The Hour, another song strongly associated with Westenra's New Zealand heritage.

For fans of classical crossover, beautiful female vocals, Celtic music and traditional songs, River Of Dreams: The Very Best Of Hayley Westenra offers an accessible introduction to one of the leading voices of the modern classical crossover movement. Combining opera, folk, Celtic and contemporary repertoire, this is a beautifully varied collection for fans of "Hayley Westenra", "Sarah Brightman", "Charlotte Church" and classical vocal music.

Tracklist

1. River Of Dreams
2. Pokarekare Ana
3. Dell'Amore Non Si Sa
4. Shenandoah
5. The Water Is Wide
6. Songbird
7. Both Sides Now
8. Ave Maria (Caccini)
9. Benedictus
10. Amazing Grace
11. Danny Boy
12. Summer Rain
13. Never Say Goodbye
14. O Mio Babbino Caro
15. May It Be
16. Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)
17. Now Is The Hour