Press: Reviews & Archives

Brightman is a truer diva in the traditional sense than any of the pop vocal acrobats who have been so dubbed — Mariah, Whitney, Celine, et. al.   While she has a powerful voice, she never pushes or overreaches; Brightman more often compels and even soothes to enchant with an elegant mystery.

— Hollywood Reporter

— Daily Variety

Sarah Brightman literally soars in a unique, compelling show. Mix in some Puccini, add a touch of Queen and Procol Harum, and season with Arabic dance music and a stage show that is pure rock spectacle...

...there's a true musical seductress growing better with time.

...Known for her role in "Phantom of the Opera" (and her now-defunct marriage to "Phantom" founder Andrew Lloyd Webber), Brightman has matured into an adept performer who transcends stereotypes and boasts an unusual touring production.

...Brightman used no video screens to project her image, preferring to do it through a series of lifts and ramps that brought her closer to the fans. She furthered that intimacy with the operatic highs of "La Luna" and "Time to Say Goodbye" (from "Phantom"), which climaxed this fearless, compelling performance.

— Boston Globe (USA)

...It was one of those nights you never forget.

...I'm smitten by Sarah Brightman...Now that's a pretty hard thing to admit when you've grown up on a diet of the Stones and Doors.

...Hers is a performance of pure class. This pocket-sized dynamo gave her all -- and more -- in an evening of fantasy and imagery.

...Punctuating those golden classics was the emotional La Luna and a stunning performance of Nessun Dorma. This was Brightman at her operatic best; the dimunitive diva simply knocking the socks off the audience.

— Adelaide Sunday Mail (Australia)

...Sarah Brightman is something of an anomaly in popular musicals, a siren soprano of musicals who also can scale operatic heights and rework rock and pop classics, all without ever going over the top.

...the two-hour performance was like Britney Spears for grown-ups (or is that Cher who does that?), with various costumes for Brightman, a troupe of female dancers in harem-girl outfits, video imagery, a few special effects, but coming from a real voice that can and often did stand on its own and no sexual pandering like Spears, though Brightman's own sashaying up and down a runway to the center of the arena had its own inviting, come hither allure...

...her voice is still one of a haunting siren.

— Reuters/Hollywood Reporter (USA)

...Hardcore fans of Sarah Brightman enjoyed an extravaganza concert showcasing the very best of the pop diva at the Capital Gymnasium. Multi-genre songs were presented at the concert including the classic numbers The Phantom of the Opera, Time to Say Goodbye and Harem from her latest album of the same name.

...Sarah Brightman thrilled Chinese fans with her sweet voice and dazzling appearance...

— People's Daily (China)

...she represents a whole other world. Brightman's world is a place where opera, pop and Broadway live in harmony, a place where confetti, people and high-pitched notes fly through the air with ease, and it is a place where a tiara can be worn with metallic-looking go-go boots without a sliver of shame. That world came to the Rose Garden arena on Monday night, and several thousand concertgoers relished the spectacle.

...Brightman's voice has never been in finer form. It was satin-smooth and pixie-nimble, and she made it clear that she could shatter a wine glass if she so wanted. (Beverages were served in plastic, as a precaution possibly.)

...She was too busy singing to talk much. She sang on the stage, she sang on a huge curved ramp at the back of the stage, she sang while playing piano, she sang suspended above the stage by wires and she sang out on the star-shaped, projected part of the stage while elevated about 20 feet in the air by something that looked like a fancy car-repair lift. But nothing beat when she sang on the swing. Brightman, sitting on a large trapezelike swing pulled into swaying action by two dancers, sang her version of "What a Wonderful World." If anything is a world away from Louis Armstrong, who popularized the song, it has to be Sarah Brightman, dressed in black thigh-highs and a white tulle dress, singing and swinging in sync.

— The Oregonian (USA)

...What a wonderful world - and doubly so when you realize that someone as talented as Sarah Brightman inhabits it. British-born songstress Brightman and crew filled Lawlor Events Center with the sounds of sweetness and light Friday night to the delight of nearly 4,000 fans. The concert featured a mix of pop, Broadway and spine-tingling opera in just the right balance.

...Brightman has a great sense of timing, and her show is paced to maximize theatrical suspense. As a song begins, she appears before the audience like an apparition. Similarly, later in the show, a grand piano appeared on stage, having come from nowhere for Brightman to play "The War is Over," a song she co-wrote, in front of a shimmering pink-purple sunset.

...near the end of the first half, she unveiled her bel canto soprano during "Anytime, Anywhere" and even those seated in the back of the room felt chills. Continuing with "Nella Fantasia," the audience was hushed and it was hard to believe such an angelic sound was coming from the living, breathing woman on the stage. "Stranger in Paradise" from "Kismet" was another highlight, and Brightman ended the first half dressed in gold with the climactic "Nessun Dorma" that left no doubt about the seriousness of this woman's talent.

...One of the theatrical highlights was "What a Wonderful World," which Brightman sang in black garters, white lace and stocking feet sailing high above the crowd on her own swing, while rose-petal confetti rained down on her. Brightman has a way of creating these memorable scenes that complement the music and create a momentary escape from the ordinary. The well-known Louis Armstrong version of the song faded away as Brightman made it her own.

— Reno Gazette-Journal (USA)

...If Sarah Brightman had sung on a bare stage that didn't come with high-tech effects or lighting, she'd still get the same kind of audience response she got during her concert Wednesday evening at the Ultra. The singer's sweet exquisite voice, which can sing opera, Andrew Lloyd Webber and pop, is the show's main attraction. Yet there's more to watching a Sarah Brightman concert. Ms. Brightman is actually breathtaking to look at. She's vivacious and sexy-she can wear the revealing outfits that only the likes of Madonna or Raquel Welch can get away with when they're performing on stage. As if that weren't enough, the production of Brightman's concert tour, dubbed The Harem 2004 World Tour, is a spectacle.

...The songs include "Stranger in Paradise" from Kismet-her lovely rendition makes one feel he's in paradise. Her voice is so flawless and effortless and watching her sing it on that beautifully lit stage made it a surreal experience. At that point, Brightman proved she truly is the "Angel of Music."

...Of course, the production numbers took everyone's breath away. Her version of "Wonderful World" had her crooning while seated on a beautiful swing suspended 20 feet in the air as millions of confetti were released. The audience went wild over her stunning version of Puccini's "Nessun Dorma" and her Phantom of the Opera signature song, the sad and poignant "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again."

...with a production like this, who could ask for anything more?

— The Manila Times (Philippines)

...the British operatic soprano doesn't just walk, she glides with grace and drama. In full costume, with her black mane flowing to her midsection, she's utterly striking. She's telling you a story with each step. Therein lies the allure of a Sarah Brightman concert. Part opera, part musical and part performance art, her shows usually revolve around themes, both visual and audible.

...Another highlight came at the tail end of the first half. Wearing a gold lam cloak while standing on a curved riser that extended high above the stage and pointed toward the audience, she belted a traditional opera number that left you breathless. Her octave range is impressive, as is her vocal control.

...she lovingly offered "The War Is Over," a track from Harem that she recorded with Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir. The message of the tune was clear, as was the mood of her performance. Ms. Brightman aims to enrich the soul with the magic of sights and sounds.

— Dallas Morning News (USA)

...Sarah Brightman is fearless. At every opportunity in her Harem concert, the petite diva perched herself on pedestals and swings in the highest stratosphere of the indoor arena. These hair-rasing displays were just a part of a lavish presentation showcasing the British musical theatre soprano. At every instance, Brightman's entrance was spectacular. Opening with songs from her latest album Harem, her stage was a tribute to middle-eastern sensibilities with eight female dancers dressed in harem costumes adorning her every move.

...Brightman's voice is renowned for it's shimmering qualities. She has also earned her place by her enviable ability to transform a grand classical opera aria into laymen's terms. She is coquettish in her approach and plays the role of angelic seducer.

— Melbourne Herald Sun (Australia)

...Brightman delivered a wholly theatrical spectacle, one that richly rewarded a full house of devoted fans. Her thigh-high silver platform boots, silver go-go dress and, a girl's best accessory, her cascading curls, were only the beginning of the evening's visual treats.

...In fact, while Brightman is known for her voice, the audience's eyes may have been most bedazzled. Celine Dion and Elton John may have set up shop there, but it's Brightman who deserves a permanent home in Las Vegas.

...Her voice is impressive, a soprano that reaches dizzying heights...

— Rocky Mountain News (USA)

...This pre-eminent queen of classical-pop had only to open her mouth and everyone was entranced, mesmerised by the clear, crystalline quality of her voice and tone.

...Moving to the frenetic pace of Harem, Brightman bedazzled everyone with her first piece for the night. The Middle Eastern-influenced pop number was infectious. The crowd lapped it up, signalling the start of a fabulous night.

...Harem was scorching. Surrounded by eight dancers, moving to intoxicating, fast and furious percussive world beats, the kohl-eyed vamp stripped off her robe and was now in a hot white mini and thigh-high boots.

...What was amazing about Brightman was that in one verse of a song, she would astound all with sparkling child-like vocals, then at the turn of the chorus she'd burst into a soprano, soaring higher and higher, never thinning out.

"I've never heard her sing before. But she made me a fan. There's just no way to describe the beauty of her voice in words. It's just too beautiful!" said a journalist, who was watching the show from the Press room that gave us an excellent view. "Amazing; incredible; superb; unbelievable ...," said another, generous with his adjectives after almost every song.

...Then she started singing. At the end of the exquisite number, where she held the last high note longer than what is heard in her recordings, there were definitely tears in the audience ... of joy and much appreciation.

...She ended the spectacular night with A Question of Honour, sealing the fact that there may be many singers around but few could hold a candle to this very bright star.

— New Straits Times (Malaysia)

...From that first song on, Brightman's voice was impeccable. Its clean power and range was awe-inspiring, its ethereal and angelic tonality mesmerizing. The alluring, 43-year-old, classical-crossover diva, along with her entourage of young dancers, moved about the stage, strutting, hip-shaking and transitioning the singer through a number of costume changes and onto several hydraulic platforms that lifted her 30 feet high at times.

...While Brightman's well-produced dance and popular songs invigorated the audience with their glitz, glamour and sensuality, it was her stripped-down renditions of several classical works that brought the audience to its feet, garnering the singer nearly half a dozen standing ovations throughout the evening.

— The Plain Dealer (USA)

...She looks every inch like a noble princess of the desert. Last night's show coincides with the release of a new album called Harem. And right from the start we are beckoned to follow Ms. Brightman into a Middle Eastern fantasy land.

...Brightman, with her soaring, vibrato-rich voice, is selling fantasy, pure and simple.

— The Toronto Star (Canada)

...English soprano Sarah Brightman transforms herself with every number in concert. She rose on a pedestal in a sparkling two-piece outfit for "Harem," her voice soaring over a pulsing dance beat as dancers gyrated beneath her. Later, alone under a white spotlight, she sang an aria in Italian. Then she rode a swing, trailing gauzy pink fabric for a pop-flavored take on "(What a) Wonderful World."

...Brightman delivered a musically and visually lavish performance...

...Brightman knows how to distribute her energy evenly throughout a concert. She seemed as fresh as if she'd just walked on stage while sustaining the last note of the tender "Time To Say Goodbye" and delivering a no-holds-barred "A Question of Honor" at the end. As the concert drew to a smoke-and-confetti close, she even flew into the air (with the help of a harness). After the musical territory she covered in this tour, one wonders where she will land next.

— The Sacramento Bee (USA)

...(Brightman) delivered a show that was drenched in glitz and glamour -- a gilded frame for her picture- perfect golden voice.

...Picture this: Brightman was dressed in a glittering, gem-studded corset, silver, thigh-high, spike- heeled boots with a gold tiara atop a thick cascade of curly brown hair that reached the small of her back. She was elevated above the stage on a 15-foot hydraulic column, and wind machines made the layers of her gossamer capes billow, making her look like a cross between Stevie Nicks and one of Wagner's Rhinemaidens.

— Star Telegram (USA)

...Sarah Brightman welcomed us inside her "Harem" at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre -- but it was her classic hits that had the audience leaping to its feet.

...Where Brightman really shines is in her timeless operatic arias and standard showtunes, particularly her astonishing rendition of Nessun Dorma.

— Adelaide Advertiser (Australia)

...Yes, this performer is all about the mood, and there is little doubt she has studied herself to be sure she's in perfect form for those attending her concerts. I actually lost count on the costume changes at about 8. But in the end, she has the voice to back it all up. Once all the smoke and mystical mirrors are cleared, we are still left with a woman who has serious vocal ability.

— The Lakeland Ledger (USA)

...Her distinctive voice has a sense of vulnerability and purity. The singer's vocal stamina belies the fragility and wispiness that often characterize her tone.

...Even opera purists wouldn't be able to resist "La Luna," an adaptation of Dvorak's "Song to the Moon" from "Rusalka."

...Those who left before the encores missed the final spectacle. Suspended from wires high above the stage, the fearless diva sang "A Question of Honor," this time borrowing "Ebben? Ne andre lontana" from Catalani's opera, "La Wally." As the song ended, Brightman rotated several times -- Cirque du Soleil style -- and the Delta Center exploded in a snowstorm of confetti and pyrotechnics. With that brilliant display it really was "Time to Say Goodbye."

— Salt Lake Tribune (USA)

...You could almost feel you were in a musical, what with a massive band and string ensemble, costume changes galore, a production set that could equal any London West End stage. It was massive work.

...The magnitude of the production was staggering. Over 85 tonnes of props filled the stage on Sunday night for the biggest production set of the Asian leg of her tour.

...You could also feel it was akin to a Royal Court with Brightman as the star court entertainer performing to royalty. (In this case, it was royalty from Malaysia who were among the special guests invited to the concert.)

...There was more vocal beauty in two more favourites in her vast repertoire with La Luna (from La Luna) and Nessun Dorma (from Eden) bringing goosebumps before a short break.

...It was inevitable that she revisit her role in The Phantom of the Opera and Brightman had the crowd eating out of her hand by the time she finished "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again." The killer blow of her finest song (and greatest hit), "Time To Say Goodbye," was her stated finale.

— The Star (Malaysia)