Brightman aims for the universe

Sarah Brightman's upcoming tour in China will give fans a sense of being in space.

"The costume and stage designs will remind audiences of the universe, stars and moon," says the famous soprano, known for her powerful wide vocal range. Brightman gave a concert recently at Reignwood Theater in Beijing, where she announced her six-city tour around China in June.

Her concerts will be part of her upcoming world tour, Dreamchaser, which shares the same name as her new album to be launched this year. Both projects are inspired by her planned trip to the International Space Station in 2015.

Involving two years of preparation, Brightman will spend six months in Russia's Star City cosmonaut training center and become the first recording artist to step into space.

"I think of myself not just as a dreamer, but as a dream chaser," says the singer, who is also an actress and dancer.

She describes the journey as fulfilling a childhood desire, adding that space exploration has inspired her life.

At 8, she dreamed about traveling to space someday herself after seeing television images of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon in 1969.

"Hopefully, I can sing from space with children on Earth, which will be very exciting for me.

"I also learnt from the news that China has made history by launching a spacecraft, sending the nation's first female astronaut into space, which is very exciting," she says. "Everyone has dreams, some seemingly unrealistic and crazy, but someday you suddenly see the possibility."

When she comes back to Earth, she plans to hold a 2016 tour themed on the universe. She also plans to work with a Chinese musician on a new album, which will have a mixture of Chinese and English songs.

Brightman, who is a UNESCO ambassador, says the trip will serve as a way to promote the United Nation's message of encouraging education for women in the scientific and environmental fields.

She is one of the most popular Western singers among Chinese fans, and is eager to learn more about China and its people.

"I am curious to see the country's changes and keen to know about the people here," says Brightman, who held concerts in Beijing in 2004 and 2009.

The soprano, with over 30 million records sold globally, won the hearts of more Chinese after she performed the theme song of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, You and Me, with Chinese singer-songwriter Liu Huan.

"I am lucky to take all the projects I have been involved in as my hobbies," she adds.

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/08/2013 page18)