You're also going to sing the national anthems at the Fiji v Ireland game on October 28, what are you expecting from that?
I have to learn both team's anthems, which should be a fun challenge, and the game is being broadcast on Premier Sports, which is available on Sky. Although I've sung at stadiums before this is the first one where it has been broadcast live. Singing in stadiums is a weird experience because you know you could have 40,000 eyes on you but everyone feels so far away it's a bit like singing to yourself! This is the first bit of TV exposure in the count down to my new album, so I hope it will help me to get me known to an even wider audience.
What is it about music that you love?
Music has a way of bypassing all our defences and walls we put up; it goes straight to the heart of a person and can stir very powerful emotions before you've even realised what you're listening to. It can invoke memories, it can communicate ideas, it can inspire. What I love most about it is how it transcends barriers between people. I have seen, first hand, how it can be such a powerful tool to use with people with learning difficulties, how it can appeal to people who speak many different languages, I've even made big, burly rugby players cry! You don't need a degree, or to be rich, or to be worldy-wise; music can appeal to everyone and create links between all the people who are listening as well. People at my concerts make new friends with the people they sit next to, and my online fanclub now want badges so they can recognise each other at my shows. It's wonderful to see what enjoyment you can add to people's lives simply by being yourself and doing what you love.
Who or what are some of your musical influences?
I have a a wide range of influences from the amazing operatic Divas like Renee Flemming and Pavarotti, to songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Annie Lennox, David Foster, Adele, Emeli Sande, and especially film soundtracks by Hans Zimmer and Ennio Morricone. I have sung in many different styles and listened to many genres, which I believe have inspired my music and is part of the reason why my style is seen as so accessible.
What have been some of your favourite moments in your career to-date?
There are always amazing performances in front of big crowds or at legendary venues, but, for me, it's been the personal moments that have meant so much, like someone coming to speak to you with tears in their eyes telling you how much they love that particular song and how it reminds them of a loved one or a distant memory. It's incredibly humbling. Recently, the experience of recording my new album with a live orchestra was a career highlight for me. There was little old me in a studio where many big classical stars have recorded, listening to a full orchestra playing an arrangement of a song I had written, conducted by a man who has worked extensive on the albums of the soprano who first introduced me to classical singing - Sarah Brightman. That was pretty darn special and something I will never forget.
What else can we expect from you in the next few months?
I will be doing a small tour in November and December this year to show case the new album that I'm currently finishing, called 'Dare to Dream' which I am expecting to release in February 2014. 'Heroes to the World' is the first song from the album and the title track of the album is very personal to me as it's my first composition to be recorded commercially. The album is a mixture of beautiful Italian and French arias, some traditional folk songs plus songs from stage and screen. There are some very well known songs but also some obscure songs that I think people will love, and one stunning tenor aria that has never been covered by a woman. Of course, there are the original songs too and feedback from the audience is clearly in favour of new music coming through in the mainstream classical-crossover genre. Following the album release I will be doing a full tour to theatres across the UK and beyond. There is also a very exciting Christmas single coming out in late November, which is still top secret but very good fun putting together.
'Heroes to the World' is available for download now. You can find out more about Rebecca's CD and tour dates at rebeccanewman.co.uk and facebook.com/rebeccanewmansoprano