Biggest classical music recording contract

In October 2008, it was reported that mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins (UK) had signed a five-album recording contract with Warner Music Entertainment worth $10 million (almost £5.8 million). The deal dwarfed the £1 million ($1.49 million), six-album contract she signed with Universal Classics & Jazz at the start of her career – then believed to be the most lucrative contract offered to a classical music artist.

The Warner deal, aimed at breaking Jenkins in America, incorporated the albums Believe (2009), Daydream (2011) and This Is Christmas (2012). Believe – featuring her renditions of “Bring Me to Life” (Evanescence), “No Woman, No Cry” (Bob Marley) and “Who Wants to Live Forever” (Queen) – and This Is Christmas peaked at No.5 and No.3, respectively, on the US classical chart.

The contract with Warner Music Entertainment was originally reported as a five-album deal in 2008, but was terminated when she signed for Decca Records (now part of the Universal Music Group) – with whom she’s released her three most recent studio albums: Home Sweet Home (2014), Celebration (2016) and Guiding Light (2018).