Voice Divine

Album Review

By Natasha Barbieri

Teenage soprano Katie Marshall’s love for music began early: “I first fell in love with classical music and asked to have Classical singing lessons at 6 years of age.” She was nurtured in a musical family and enjoys singing in different languages including Italian, Latin, German and French.

Her new EP “Voice Divine” shows new-found maturity. In Katie’s words: “I am very excited to have recorded an album of songs that have been a part of my life for so many years.”

The album features the Kent Sinfonia Orchestra “who I performed with a few years ago at a charity concert held at Rochester Cathedral.” It is produced by VOCES8 musical director who also recorded Katie’s debut EP. It was mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Simon Gibson.

Katie’s lovely clear high notes are one of the highlights of the album which opens with “O Mio Babbino Caro.” The second track, “Art Thou Troubled” by Handel is beautifully accompanied and presented, perhaps for the first time to the crossover audience. Early Music fits Katie’s voice like a glove and it’s easy to picture her following in the steps of Elin Manahan Thomas. Her takes of Caccini’s “Ave Maria” and Mozart’s “Laudate Dominum” are especially lovely.

Katie’s dedication to vocal health is promising. “Looking after my voice is very important as I want to be singing for many more years to come. I have many exercises that I do to keep my voice healthy. Alongside learning new repertoire and languages, I work on my voice every day and want to inspire more young people to learn classical singing.”

Katie plans to continue her studies at a music college in the future, but for now, is “enjoying all the opportunities I have to perform.” She was recently honored with a nomination for a Classic Brit Award in the Sound of Classical Poll. Katie can also be heard on the Downtown Abbey Christmas CD in a duet with Julian Ovenden.

She also supports many charities including ‘Born Free’ for whom she is an ambassador. “I am performing for ‘Abigail’s Footsteps’ at their ‘Queen’ Concert in October at Rochester Cathedral and will be duetting with Jonathan Ansell on some classic Queen songs that Freddie Mercury sang with Montserrat Caballé. 

I am also supporting and performing again this year for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and Nichols Spinal Research at their Christmas Concerts in London.”

In addition to singing Katie enjoys “dance, drama, yoga, swimming, cooking and walks in the countryside.”

To purchase the EP visit Katie’s website:  katiemarshallmusic.com

Natasha Barbieri, Editor

Editor

Creator of Classical Crossover Magazine. For Natasha music has always been closely tied to her faith. At age 18, Natasha made her opera debut playing the part of the mother in Menotti’s ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ with the Eastern Festival Opera. At 20, she was a winner of the 2011 Young Artist Competition at Andrews University. Natasha graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Music. Natasha has released a series of Holiday singles “A Place Called Home” (2020), “One Little Boy,” and “The Perfect Year” (2021). In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Future Classic Women Awards’ show on Men’s & Women’s Radio Station. Natasha is the creator and editor of ‘Classical Crossover Magazine’ a venture that has allowed her to interview many of the top stars in the genre including Sarah Brightman, Celtic Woman, Mirusia, Paul Potts, and more. During the covid-19 pandemic, she created an online concert series for the magazine that has seen her perform in the same line-up as Alex Sharpe, Lucy Kay, Barbara Padilla, Classical Reflection, and more on the virtual stage. In 2022, Natasha was included on the charity album “Stars of Classical Crossover: Christmas” in benefit of the Wallace & Gromit Children’s Charity.