Jenkins has a �1m-plus recording deal with Universal records

The 23-year-old former teacher from Neath is also number 16 in the pop charts.

It makes her the first classical artist to produce two number one albums in the same year after the success in April of her debut, Premiere.

The mezzo soprano described the news as fantastic.

She said: "Two number ones in one year? I can't really believe it and I'm just totally overwhelmed by it all.

She has a fantastic voice, incredible star quality and has worked very hard for her success Bill Holland, Universal Classics

"Everything's happening so fast that I can hardly catch my breath.

"I'm so grateful for all the support I've received in Wales, everyone's been so fantastic and encouraged me to go for it.

"I just wish my Dad had lived to see all this, he would have been so proud," she added.

Jenkins graduated from the Royal Academy in 2002 and recently gave up her job as a music teacher.

In March she signed a �1m-plus recording deal with Universal records, thought to be the biggest contract ever signed by a British classical artist.

Bill Holland, divisional director of Universal Classics, said: "Katherine is one of the most exciting talents to appear on the classical music scene in some years.

"She has a fantastic voice, incredible star quality and has worked very hard for her success.

"Despite the incredible media coverage over the last year, she remains as level-headed today as the first day we were first introduced to her, barely 18 months ago."