SAN FRANCISCO, August 10 — Sissel’s music is that rare gift to believers, beautiful recordings about love, life, and God. A classic/pop crossover soprano, Sissel’s albums have sold 8 million in Europe. Sissel’s 2004 U.S. tour features her luminous new album "My Heart."

Ignatius Press is so convinced that the Norwegian-born singing sensation’s music will appeal to Catholic-Christian audiences, that it is offering a special promotion on Sissel’s new CD "My Heart"—a chance to win an autographed Sissel CD or canvas portrait. Order Sissel’s new CD, "My Heart," before August 31 to qualify.

"Sissel has that unique combination of a true classically trained voice and a warm personality that is equally at ease singing a wide range of classical, sacred or popular songs with real depth, clarity and inspiration," says Anthony Ryan, Ignatius Press marketing director. "She stands alone among female singers and could be considered the female counterpart of Josh Groban or Andrea Bocelli."

Ryan has joined with Universal Music and placed Ignatius Press at the lead in U.S. promotions of the European superstar, who the Los Angeles Times in May called "a lovely woman with a warm, engaging presence and blessed with a pure soprano."

"My Heart," the new Decca album, has an inspiration that is pure and simple, Sissel says: "This is the music that is closest to my heart right now. I hope people will listen, lean back, relax and enjoy the beauty. I think we’ve made something very beautiful."

"My Heart" deftly mingles fresh new pop songs with sacred and classical hymns and operatic arias, all transformed by Sissel’s limpid, sparkling vocals, backed by the London Symphony Orchestra’s sumptuous sound. Tracks include Pie Jesu, You Raise Me Up, O Mio Babbino Caro, Ave Maria, Someone Like You, Wait a While and Angel Rays.

Sissel’s most recent U.S. tour, included partial sponsorship by PBS, encore performances during the PBS pledge drive and a performance at the PAC 10 tournament in March in Los Angeles. She returns to the U.S. with the Lord of the Rings Symphony in September, October, November, and December.
The Associated Press called her voice "pure, effortless," and the Boston Globe termed it "a glorious voice." No less an authority than operatic superstar Placido Domingo marveled at her "pure, beautiful sound."

Sissel is a platinum-selling artist in her native Norway where the world discovered her during the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. Hundred of millions of filmgoers know her voice from her haunting solos in James Horner’s Oscar-winning score in the movie Titanic. The Wall Street Journal wrote, "It’s a good bet that when legions of filmgoers, including teenaged Titaniacs, leave the movie theater, it’s the evocative vocals of Norway’s Sissel…that linger in their minds and hearts."


CONTACT: Anthony Ryan, 415-387-2324

My Heart, the luminous new album from the Norwegian-born singing sensation Sissel, has an inspiration that is pure and simple. My Heart deftly mingles fresh new pop songs with sacred and classical hymns and operatic arias, all transformed by Sissel’s limpid, sparkling vocals. Her voice has the smooth, soaring grace of a classical diva, but her singing adds a direct, crystal-clear yet haunting expressiveness that is uniquely hers. Tracks include Pie Jesu, You Raise Me up, O Mio Babbino Caro, Ave Maria, Someone Like You, Wait a While, and Angel Rays.

Listen to audio clips from My Heart here.


Sissel, the American debut. Acclaimed for her memorable singing for the soundtrack of the film Titanic, the Norwegian singing star Sissel makes her US debut with this distinctive collection of music. Combining American folk songs like Shenandoah, her own original compositions, and Scandanavian classics, this album is truly one of a kind. Includes Sarah’s Song, Shenandoah, Lær Meg Å Kjenne, and Molde Canticle. Don’t miss it!

Listen to audio clips from Sissel here.

Sissel in Concert: All Good Things (DVD). In this special, the multi-platinum Scandinavian superstar takes us on a musical journey filled with beauty and warmth. Performing live in concert at the Oslo Spectrum, Sissel is accompanied by a 54-piece orchestra, an all female youth chorus, an eight-piece band, and an assortment of musical guests. Sissel performs both classical and pop favorites such as the theme from the blockbuster movie Titanic and songs from both her self-titled debut album and her follow up CD, My Heart. Also included are exclusive interviews and scenes of Norway and its magnificent beauty.

Songs peformed include All Good Things, Pie Jesu, O Mio Babbino Caro, Shenendoah, and Walking Through Fire. 11 songs total.