River of Dreams: The Very Best of Hayley Westenra cover

River of Dreams: The Very Best of Hayley Westenra

Hayley Westenra · 2008

60 min · 17 tracks · classical · new age music · Celtic music

A seamless fusion of classical elegance and heartfelt pop melodies that captivates the listener's spirit.

Why this album works

'River of Dreams' not only solidified Hayley Westenra's status in the operatic pop landscape but also achieved significant commercial success, charting in multiple countries and reaching Gold certification in New Zealand. The album's inclusion of songs from 'The Lord of the Rings' further entrenched her relationship with cinematic music, appealing to a global audience enamored with film soundtracks.
Career context
By 2008, Hayley Westenra was already a prominent figure in the crossover classical genre, having gained international fame with her debut album 'Pure' in 2003. 'River of Dreams: The Very Best of Hayley Westenra' serves as a retrospective collection highlighting her most cherished performances up to that point, showcasing her growth and versatility as an artist.
Stylistic neighbors
Enya· Charlotte Church· Celtic Woman

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Pokarekare Ana Standout 3:19
  • 2 River of Dreams 4:20
  • 3 Dell’amore non si sa 3:44
  • 4 Shenandoah 3:24
  • 5 The Water Is Wide 3:33
  • 6 Songbird Standout 3:10
  • 7 Both Sides Now 3:42
  • 8 Ave Maria 3:43
  • 9 Benedictus (The Armed Man) 3:49
  • 10 Amazing Grace 3:41
  • 11 Danny Boy 3:41
  • 12 Summer Rain 3:58
  • 13 Never Say Goodbye (adapted from “Pavane”) 3:13
  • 14 O mio babbino caro 2:32
  • 15 May It Be / Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings) Standout 4:22
  • 16 Ave Maria 2:45
  • 17 Now Is the Hour (Po Atarau / Haere Ra) 3:08

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata