Sarah Brightman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cavaliere Sarah Brightman
Brightman at the World Athletics Championships in Osaka in 2007
Born	(1960-08-14) 14 August 1960 (age 64) Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England
Occupation	Singer actress dancer
Years active	1978–present
Spouse(s)	Andrew Graham-Stewart ​ ​ (m. 1979; div. 1983)​ Andrew Lloyd Webber ​ ​ (m. 1983; div. 1990)​
Relatives	Amelia Brightman (sister)
Musical career
Genres	Classical crossover operatic pop world musical theatre
Instruments	Vocals, piano
Labels	A&M (1993) East West (1995–2001) Angel EMI (1997–2007) Manhattan EMI (2008–2010) Simha (2012–present)

Sarah Brightman (born 14 August 1960) is an English singer and actress. She is known for her amazing voice, which can sing both classical and pop music. Sarah is famous for being a "classical crossover" artist. This means she mixes classical music with pop, rock, and other styles.

Sarah started her career as a dancer in a group called Hot Gossip. She also released some disco songs on her own. In 1981, she began acting in musicals in London's West End. She starred in famous shows like Cats and The Phantom of the Opera. In Phantom, she created the role of Christine Daaé. The album from the original London show of Phantom sold 40 million copies worldwide!

After leaving the stage and her marriage to composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sarah focused on her music. She worked with producer Frank Peterson and became a huge star in classical crossover music. She has sold over 25 million albums and 2 million DVDs around the world. This makes her the best-selling soprano singer globally.

In 1996, Sarah sang "Time to Say Goodbye" with Italian singer Andrea Bocelli. This song became a massive hit across Europe. It was the fastest-selling single ever in Germany and sold 12 million copies worldwide. Sarah has won over 200 gold and platinum awards in 38 countries. Billboard magazine even named her one of the most important classical artists of the 2000s in the US.

Sarah is the only artist to be asked twice to sing the theme song at the Olympic Games. First, she sang "Amigos Para Siempre" at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games with José Carreras. About one billion people watched this! Sixteen years later, in 2008, she sang "You and Me" with Chinese singer Liu Huan at the Beijing Olympics. An estimated four billion people watched this performance!

In 2012, Sarah was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace. This award recognized her work for charity and her efforts to promote cultural understanding through music. She has also been a global ambassador for Panasonic since 2010.

Sarah's Early Life and First Steps in Music

Sarah Brightman is the oldest of six children. She grew up in Little Gaddesden, England. When she was just three years old, she started taking dance and piano lessons. She loved performing in local shows and competitions. At age 11, she got into the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. This school specializes in teaching performing arts.

She also studied at other famous schools like Elmhurst Ballet School and the Royal College of Music.

In 1973, at 13, Sarah made her first appearance in a musical called I and Albert in London. She played one of Queen Victoria's daughters. In 1976, she joined a dance group called Hot Gossip. They had a disco hit in 1978 called "I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper". This song sold half a million copies and reached number six on the UK charts. Sarah also released some disco songs on her own.

Sarah's Amazing Career Journey

Starting on Stage: 1981–1989

In 1981, Sarah tried out for a new musical called Cats, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber. She got the part of Jemima. After a year in Cats, Sarah took on other roles in musicals. She played the main character in a children's opera called Nightingale.

Andrew Lloyd Webber saw her in Nightingale and was very impressed. He had not realized how talented she was before. They got married in 1984. Sarah then starred in many of Lloyd Webber's musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera.

Brightman and then-husband Andrew Lloyd Webber at the world premiere performance of Requiem at Saint Thomas Church in New York City

In 1985, Sarah's song "Pie Jesu" was a big hit. It sold 25,000 copies on its first day! Lloyd Webber wrote a special piece of music called Requiem for his father. Sarah sang in its first performance in New York City. This album became the best-selling classical album in the UK that year.

Sarah starred as Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera. Lloyd Webber wrote the role just for her. He insisted that Sarah play Christine when the show moved to Broadway in New York. The show was a huge success, selling $17 million in tickets before it even opened! The album from the show was the first British musical album to reach number one on the music charts. It has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling musical album ever.

After Phantom, Sarah toured, singing Lloyd Webber's music. She also released two solo albums: The Trees They Grow So High (1988) and The Songs That Got Away (1989).

Solo Success: The 1990s

In 1992, Sarah sang "Amigos Para Siempre" with José Carreras at the Barcelona Olympic Games. After this, she decided to focus on her solo music career. She started working with producer Frank Peterson. Their first album together was Dive (1993), which had a water theme. It earned her first Gold award in Canada.

Their next album, Fly (1995), included the song "A Question of Honor". This song mixed electronic music, rock, and classical strings.

In 1997, Sarah released Timeless/Time to Say Goodbye. This is her biggest-selling album. It went gold or platinum in 21 countries. The main song, "Time to Say Goodbye", a duet with Andrea Bocelli, became a huge international hit. It sold over 3 million copies in Germany alone! The album sold over 12 million copies worldwide.

In 1998, Sarah created her own TV special for PBS called Sarah Brightman: In Concert at the Royal Albert Hall. She also sang at Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday party.

Her next album, Eden (1998), included the beautiful song "Nella Fantasia". This song used music from the film The Mission. Eden reached number one on the classical crossover charts in the US.

More International Hits: 2000–2004

In 2000, Sarah released La Luna. This album featured songs from pop, jazz, and opera. La Luna became her best-selling album in Asia. Sarah also sang a duet with Josh Groban called "There for Me" at her La Luna concert.

In 2001, she released Classics, which had some of her best songs and new tracks. It was very successful in Japan and Canada.

Her 2003 album, Harem, had a Middle Eastern theme and dance music influences. Sarah worked with artists like Ofra Haza and Kazem al-Saher on this album. Harem reached number one on the classical crossover charts.

Sarah's albums Eden, La Luna, and Harem were followed by big world tours. These shows were very theatrical, like her stage performances. Her concerts were very popular, earning millions of dollars.

New Albums and Olympic Performances: 2006–2008

In 2006, Sarah released Diva: The Video Collection and The Singles Collection. This was her first "greatest hits" album in the US. It reached number one on the classical crossover charts. In Japan, it was the best-selling classical album of 2007.

Brightman performing in Auburn Hills, US, during her Symphony World Tour

On 1 July 2007, Sarah performed at the Concert for Diana in London. She sang "All I Ask of You" with Josh Groban. Millions of people watched this event worldwide. A few days later, she sang at the Live Earth Concert Series. She also debuted her song "Running" at the 2007 IAAF Championships in Japan.

On 29 January 2008, Sarah released Symphony, her first album in five years. It was influenced by gothic music. This album was very successful in the US, reaching number one on several Billboard charts. It featured duets with Andrea Bocelli, Fernando Lima, and Paul Stanley from KISS.

Brightman performing in Live Earth Concert in Shanghai, China (2007)

Sarah also made her first movie appearance in the rock musical film Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008). On 8 August 2008, she sang the Olympic theme song, "You and Me", with Chinese star Liu Huan at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. This performance was watched by over five billion people!

Later in 2008, Sarah released her first holiday album, A Winter Symphony. It included classic Christmas songs and new versions of pop tracks. She then went on "The Symphony World Tour", which used cool virtual and holographic stage sets.

Recent Projects: 2009–Present

In 2009, a live recording of her concert at St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna was released as Symphony: Live in Vienna. Sarah also released an album called Amalfi – Sarah Brightman Love Songs in Japan. This album became Japan's best-selling classical album of 2009.

Brightman performing in Chichen Itza, Mexico

Sarah performed at the ancient site of Chichen Itza in Mexico, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2010, she toured Asia, performing in Japan, China, and South Korea. She also sang at the Tōdai-ji Buddhist temple in Japan, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 2012, Sarah received the UNESCO Artist for Peace Award. She also became a global ambassador for Panasonic and worked with UNESCO on their "World Heritage Special" campaign.

Brightman performing her Dreamchaser World Tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina (2013)

On 10 October 2012, Sarah announced her plan to become a space tourist and travel to the International Space Station (ISS). She would have been the first singer in outer space! She paid a lot of money for the trip.

Her album Dreamchaser (2013) was inspired by her space travel plans. Critics loved this album, calling it one of her best. Dreamchaser became her seventh number one album on the Billboard Top Classical Albums chart. She then went on the "Dreamchaser World Tour" across many countries. In 2015, she canceled her space trip for family reasons.

In 2016, Sarah received the 'Cavaliere' award from Italy. This award recognized her amazing voice and how she helped spread Italian language and culture worldwide. She also released a new album, Gala – The Collection, in Japan. She continued to tour, performing in Asia and Europe.

In 2018, Sarah announced her album Hymn. She also started a world tour for Hymn, which included over 125 shows across five continents. In 2022, she became a judge on a talent show in Japan. In 2023, she was part of a music documentary. In 2024, she will play the lead role of Norma Desmond in the musical Sunset Boulevard in Australia.

Sarah's Voice and Music Style

Sarah Brightman has a unique voice. She trained with famous voice teachers. Her voice can reach very high notes. She can sing both pop and classical music. Sometimes, she uses both styles in the same song! For example, in "Anytime, Anywhere", she starts with a classical voice, switches to pop, and then finishes with classical.

Her music is usually called "classical crossover". Many people say she helped make this type of music popular. Sarah herself has said the label is "horrible" but understands why people categorize music. She enjoys music from the 1960s and 1970s, like David Bowie and Pink Floyd. Her albums include opera songs, pop songs by artists like Dido, and rock songs. She sings in many languages, including English, Spanish, French, Latin, Italian, and Japanese.

Sarah's Personal Life

In 1979, Sarah married Andrew Graham-Stewart. She later met Andrew Lloyd Webber while performing in Cats. Sarah and Andrew Lloyd Webber married in 1984. They later divorced in 1990. However, they remain friends. Lloyd Webber has called her a "wonderful woman," and she has performed at special anniversary shows for The Phantom of the Opera.

Sarah also had a long relationship with Frank Peterson. She has said that she would have loved to have children, but it didn't happen.

Sarah's Charity Work

Sarah Brightman is very involved in charity work. In 2012, she became a UNESCO Artist for Peace Ambassador. This means she helps promote peace and cultural understanding through her art. She also works with Panasonic on their efforts to protect UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

In 2012, the Brightman STEM Scholarship program was started. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This program helps young women in the US study STEM subjects in college.

In 2013, Sarah became a promotional ambassador for a landmark building in London. In November 2013, she donated over $500,000 to help people affected by a hurricane in Mexico. This money came from her sold-out concert in Mexico City.

Sarah is also part of the Advisory Council for the Challenger Center. This group helps teach kids about science, technology, engineering, and math. Sarah wants to inspire children to be excited about space exploration.

In 2014, Sarah helped with a concert called Symfunny to raise money for Parkinson's UK. This money helps fund research to find a cure for Parkinson's disease. In 2015, the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Sarah Brightman Music Scholarships were created. These scholarships help students study music at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Awards and Honors

Sarah Brightman has received over 180 Gold and Platinum sales awards in more than 40 countries.

On 2 June 2016, she was given the 'Cavaliere' award from Italy. This honor recognized her amazing voice and her help in sharing Italian culture around the world.

Stage Performances

Musicals

• I and Albert (as Princess Victoria), 1973
• Cats (as Jemima), 1981
• Nightingale (as Nightingale), 1982
• Song and Dance (as The Girl/Emma), 1984
• The Phantom of the Opera (as Christine Daaé), 1986 (London) and 1988 (Broadway)
• Aspects of Love (as Rose Vibert), 1990 (Broadway) and 1991 (London)
• Sunset Boulevard (as Norma Desmond), 2024

Operettas

• The Pirates of Penzance (as Kate), 1982
• The Merry Widow (as Valencienne), 1985

Plays

• Trelawny of the "Wells" (as Rose Trelawny), 1992
• Relative Values (as Miranda Frayle), 1993
• Dangerous Obsession (as Sally Driscoll), 1994
• The Innocents (as Miss Giddens), 1995

Movies and Concert Films

• Song and Dance, 1984 (live stage performance film)
• Granpa, 1989 (animated film, sang "Make Believe")
• Brokedown Palace, 1999 (sang "Deliver Me")
• Repo! The Genetic Opera, 2008 (played Blind Mag)
• Amarufi: Megami no hôshû (Amalfi: Rewards of the Goddess), 2009 (played herself)
• First Night, 2010 (played Celia)
• The Phantom of the Opera, 2011 (25th anniversary concert film, played herself)

Live Concert DVDs

• Sarah Brightman: In Concert
• A Gala Christmas in Vienna
• One Night in Eden
• La Luna: Live in Concert
• The Harem World Tour: Live from Las Vegas
• Symphony: Live in Vienna
• Dreamchaser in Concert
• Hymn: Sarah Brightman in Concert
• A Christmas Symphony

Selected Music Albums

Famous Duets

Sarah has sung with many famous artists, including:

• Andrea Bocelli – "Time to Say Goodbye"
• Plácido Domingo – Many classical pieces and Christmas songs
• José Carreras – "Amigos para Siempre"
• Michael Crawford – Songs from The Phantom of the Opera
• Josh Groban – "There for Me" and "All I Ask of You"
• Andrew Lloyd Webber – "Whistle Down the Wind"
• Antonio Banderas – "The Phantom of the Opera"
• Cliff Richard – "All I Ask of You"
• Liu Huan – "You And Me" (Olympic theme song)
• Paul Stanley (from KISS) – "I Will Be With You (Where The Lost Ones Go)"
• Anne Murray – "Snowbird"
• Yoshiki – "Miracle"

Concert Tours

• "A Timeless Evening with Sarah Brightman" (1997)
• "One Night in Eden Tour" (1999)
• "La Luna World Tour" (2000–2001)
• "Harem World Tour" (2004–2005)
• "The Symphony World Tour" (2008–2009)
• "Sarah Brightman in Concert" (2009, 2010)
• "Dreamchaser World Tour" (2013–2014)
• "Gala: An Evening with Sarah Brightman" (2016)
• "Royal Christmas Gala" (2017, co-headlining)
• "Hymn: Sarah Brightman In Concert" (2018–2020)
• "A Christmas Symphony" (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
• "A Starlight Symphony" (2022)

Images for kids

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  Brightman performing "The Journey Home" at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2007

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