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Sarah Brightman (a Biography)
was a child who
always knew what she wanted:
TO BE A FAMOUS ARTIST
Sarah Brightman is the most successful soprano of all time, she's pioneered the classical crossover genre of music, and is the recipient of more than 150 platinum and gold discs and still uses public transport!
Some pics on this page come from Elden's site . Thanks Elden for giving us such a great site with so many wonderful pics of Sarah!
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On 14th August Sarah Brightman was born in London England at 6am in the morning on a Sunday, and raised in Berkhamsted, Hertforshire, oldest of six children born to Grenville (Builder / Architect) and Paula (nee Hall) Brightman. (Dancer) Sarah was the oldest of 6 children her brothers and sisters being Joel, Jay, Nicola, Claudia and Amelia (Violet). Around 1963/64 Sarah begins dancing lessons at the age of 3. Later Sarah attended three performing arts schools, among them Elmhurst Ballet School, which she dropped out of from at the age of sixteen, and Arts Education School in London.
1973
At 14, on November 6th 1973 Sarah made her theatrical debut in the musical I and Albert at the Piccadilly Theatre, London, playing one of Queen Victoria's daughters -"Vicki". Sarah says in Hello Magazine dated 13 May 1989 "Andrew (Lloyd Webber) came to see that musical and he remembers me. It’s curious to think of him as an adult having watched me as a child!”
In her late teens Sarah was modelling
for Biba Cosmetics and Vogue.
Around 1976 / 1977 Sarah joined the dance group Pan's People. Sarah replaced Cherry Gilespie and the ironic thing was that she only went along to the audition in order to provide some moral support for her friend. "I had no idea that I would walk out a Pan’s Person" said Sarah.
Then at 18,
in 1978 Sarah joined Arlene Philips' raunchy dance group
Hot Gossip. Sarah
Brightman first came to the public's attention as lead singer of 'Hot
Gossip' who had a regular slot on
Kenny Everett's TV Show. The Late Kenny Everett's show was very popular and the dance slot was
well known for being fairly raunchy for prime time TV in the 70s. Hot Gossip
and Sarah danced to hits of the day, and a very good job they did too!!
It was while singing and dancing
with them that she made her first top 5 hit single with
I Lost
My
Heart To A Starship Trooper with the B-side Do
Do Do. I
Lost My Heart To A Starship Trooper is well know for being a
rather dodgy video - but you must remember they only
had a few hour to make it in.
I Lost
My Heart To A Starship Trooper made it to
number 14
out of 100 in VH1's Worst
Videos Ever!
In
1979 Sarah Brightman and the Starship Troopers release
The Adventures Of The Love Crusader, B Side
Lost In Space (The Nurgon Zone) on
7" and 12". The 12" in Red vinyl and is rather collectable.
Sarah
Brightman "And The Aliens" released the 7" and ultra rare 12" single
Love In A UFO,
with the B Side
Illusions Of Love
- Sarah wrote the music lyrics and produced this song! The 12"
Canadian version also has
Madam Hyde
as a bonus track.
Sarah (aged 18) marries Andrew Graham-Stewart, producer of Tangerine Dreams, unknown to Sarah's parents.
Sarah sings in the movie, and appears on the double LP album / movie soundtrack The World Is Full Of Married Men and sings the song Madam Hyde. There was an rare Canadian 12" version of Love in a U.F.O. released with Madam Hyde included on the B Side.
Sarah goes for an audition for a role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical
Cats. Wearing blue hair and
a
skimpy dress she sung like an angel, and got the part of
Jemima a
Kitten/Cat. On her way home Sarah was driving along the M1 in her Triumph
sports car, gathers speed to overtake a lorry, the lorry did not see her, and
carves her up, her car spins out of control, somersaults over and hits a
wall. Sarah punches a window open and scrambles out. Moments later the car
bursts into flames. A very lucky escape!
Sarah starts
her own record label Whisper Records (only lasts a year) and releases My
Boyfriends Back with the B Side
Sleeping Beauty.
Releases the singles Not Having That!, with the B Side Echo 4
Cats
Premiers at the New London Theatre (London, UK) on 11 May 1981,
with
Sarah playing Jemima. Sarah as Jemima sings the intro to
Memory, then Elaine Paige sings the main song.
Sarah records Close Your Eyes / Dreams with John Barry accompanying her on piano. It was recorded as the theme for the film Frances starring Jessica Lange. This song has never been released officially, and was recorded as a demo.
On August 10th, Sarah took over
from Bonnie Langford as Kate in The Pirates of Penzance at the Drury
Lane Theatre, London.
Sarah stars in Masquerade as Tara Treetops. A musical / play based on Kit Williams book of the same name.
From the 18 Dec 1982 to
29 Jan
1983 Sarah
appears in Nightingale as the title role -
Nightingale at the
Lyric
Hammersmith, she won rave reviews for this role. Andrew Lloyd Webber
goes to see Sarah perform in Nightingale, and is blown away by her fantastic
voice. Their relationship starts soon after this.
Saw the
release of
Him, B Side
Memory (from
Cats),
(which Sarah would later record in Italian
as well as English, and put on her Andrew Lloyd Webber Albums)
Also released Rhythm Of The Rain and B side Action Man on 7" and 12" vinyl. Sarah also recorded a video for this song.
Sarah and Andrew Graham-Stewart divorce, and on 22 March Sarah Brightman and Andrew Lloyd Webber marry, and that evening Sarah is introduced to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, at the Starlight Express premier.
Pic from Elden's Premier Site - thanks to Lavinnia
Sarah
succeeded Marti Webb in
Song and Dance,
Sarah starred as Emma. The television version was shown on BBC on Saturday
April 28th. Sarah sang the fist half -
Song entitled
"Tell Me On A Sunday", and Wayne Sleep starred and danced in
the second half. On Saturday 28th April 1984
Song and
Dance was also recorded live at the Palace Theatre London, and
this live recording was released on LP, Cassette and video, although it has
long since been deleted.
A single was released from Song and Dance - Unexpected Song and on the B Side Come Back With The Same Look In Your Eyes.
Sarah is asked to play Christine in Ken Hill's version of Phantom of the Opera, but has to decline as she has other commitments.
Sarah premiered Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem in New York and London, for which she received a Grammy nomination as Best New Classical Artist. A 7" and 12" single was released from Requiem -Pie Jesu with Sarah and Paul Miles-Kingston, and the B Side Recordare.
Pie Jesu is the only classical single sung in Latin ever to be
released by HMV Classics, sold 25,000 copies on its day of
release
and the single gets to number 3 in the British pop charts - an incredible
achievement!
The
12" Version
has an extra track -
Hosanna with Placido
Domingo.
Sarah starred in a Concert The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Palace Theatre London 25 October - 2 November 1985 with Julian Lloyd Webber, Aled Jones, Paul Miles-Kingston, Iain Paton, Justin Lavender and Jane Gregory
Performed a tribute in
the Royal Variety Performance in 1985 to Jessie Mathews
with a medley of songs from
the film "Evergreen"
English Girls demonstration recording made in New York in 1985 for Song
and Dance released on vinyl and CD single Anything But Lonely in 1989.
English Girls has never been
released
on any of Sarah's albums. Probably on Thursday also recorded at this
time. Although it will take two decades before this is released on an
album.
Also the same year (1985) she performed the role of Valencienne in The Merry Widow for New Sadler's Wells Opera. Unfortunately as far as I know, there is no recording for The Merry Widow with Sarah in, which is rather sad. Although she did sing Love Unspoken with Michael Bundy at her Sarah Brightman Gala Concert for BBC Radio 2, which was recorded in Golder's Green, London UK. This has never officially been released. Sarah has also sung this song with Placido Domingo.
Charity concert Opera for Africa at the Verona Arena, recorded in August 1985, to raise money for the African famine appeal. Sarah Sings Pie Jesu.
Sarah inspired Andrew Lloyd
Webber to write the musical phenomenon which is The
Phantom of the Opera. Andrew created the role of
Christine
for Sarah's voice
in The Phantom of
the Opera.
This role shows just how versatile Sarah's voice is, and is very
vocally demanding. Phantom opened at Her Majesty's Theatre, London in October
1986. Sarah also premiered the role on Broadway in 1988, where she was nominated
for a Drama Desk Award.
Sang the part of Carrie on the studio recording of Carousel.
Phantom Of
The Opera - musical released on LP, Tape and CD. The following singles are also
released from the musical
Phantom of the Opera
with Sarah
Brightman and Steve Harley. Black, luminous vinyl version and CD (Luminous vinyl
is rare!). Also released as a 12", which is rare as this longer version is
not available anywhere else.
All I Ask Of You with Cliff Richard 7" & 12" versions (12" version has Only You from Starlight Express duet with Cliff Richard this songs was not available anywhere else) Music of the Night - Michael Crawford and Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again double A side single.
Sarah sang and released the song
Doretta's
Dream - Theme from Room With A View - (the film
I believe), the B side O Mio Babbino Caro, Sarah is later to re-record this song and put it on her classic album Timeless.
12" Special
Collectors Edition Phantom Of the Opera single released featuring Sarah
Brightman in All I Ask Of You with Steve Barton, Wishing You Were Somehow
Here Again
and Phantom Of the Opera with Michael Crawford.
Appeared in the Royal Variety Performance with Michael Crawford singing Phantom of the Opera
EMI Releases
Early One Morning, Folksongs
arranged by Benjamin Britten. This album has also been released as The
Trees They grow So High. This features Geoffrey Parsons on Piano and
Sarah on Vocals.
Also in 1988 an album was released for Children in Need. Sarah sang In The Bleak Midwinter. Called a Christmas Spectacular/ Save The Children / Christmas Celebration. The song is not available anywhere else.
On January 26th Sarah made her Broadway debut reprising her role in "Phantom" at The Majestic Theatre, and is nominated for a "Best Actress" Drama Desk Award.
Sarah's first
UK concert Tour of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber,
dates and venues being:-
23 October Bournemouth, 2 November Nottingham, 3 November Croydon, 20 November Birmingham
BLACKPOOL'S all lit up again on Saturday when husband and wife musical pair Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sarah Brightman are on hand to switch on the famous illuminations. Around 15,000 people are expected to enjoy the fun, with the switch-on at around 8.45 p.m. (taken from, Weekend 3 September 1988)
The children's film Grandpa was
released. Sarah sang the song Make Believe at the end during
the credits. This was released as a 7" and 12" vinyl single and CD
single and CD & LP album, and on video, Sarah only sings, she does not
appear in it. Howard Blake wrote the music and lyrics. The song and
music were written by Howard Blake.
Sarah releases her
first solo album - The Songs That Got Away based on songs from
Broadway
and West End Musicals that somehow got lost. Sarah sings some truly
marvellous songs Meadowlark is a fantastic song, Sarah sings this with such
emotion, I find it difficult not to
cry when listening. Also Half a Moment from Jeeves
(and Andrew Lloyd Webber flop! The only one he's had) but revived as By Jeeves
and played to rave reviews at the West End, and very entertaining and fun it was
too!
The song Mr Monotony is released as a promo single only and is ULTRA RARE. This album was produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Really Useful Record Co. / Group
Single Anything But Lonely
Released on 7", 12" and CD. The CD and 12" versions contain the following
songs Anything But Lonely, Half A Moment, What Makes Me Love Him? and
English Girls this track is very rare, it was demonstration recording made
in New York in 1985 for Song and Dance and has never been released by Sarah,
other than on this 12" vinyl and CD
Single.
Also recorded "Probably On Thursday"
- this song was not been been released until October 2005
Starred in "This Is Your Life - Sarah Brightman"
Sarah releases her second solo album
As I
Came Of Age, and a 7" single Something To Believe In and B Side Brown Eyes the CD single has the extra bonus track Love
Changes Everything sung by Sarah. This album is very easy listening,
rather folky, but I love this one, especially the song The River Cried.
Love Changes Everything which is different from the track on the Sarah
Brightman sings Andrew Lloyd Webber album. Sarah has recorded
this track more than once.
On 5 November, Sarah's divorce arrives from Andrew Lloyd Webber. But
their musical relationship survives and to
this
day Sarah sings songs from her ex husband 's greatest stage musical Phantom
of the
Opera in her concerts
,
which was written for Sarah, and is now the longest running musical on
Broadway USA!
The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber 1990 Tour The London Palladium “FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 3 1990. 6 PERFORMANCES ONLY”
Sarah appears in Aspects of Love as Rose Vibert both in the USA and the UK.
Sarah tries to boost the sale
of tickets for
Aspects Of Love; she plays Rose
Vibert in both New York and London. Sadly Aspects of Love closes, but
Sarah played to rave reviews both in the US and the UK. One
critic from The Daily Mail in London wrote
"Her performance could only be rivalled if Venus the Goddess of Love came down
amongst us and danced"
The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber Prince Edward Theatre 12 more performances of the Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber for 2 weeks beginning May 13th, 1991
Sarah Performs The Music of
Andrew Lloyd Webber in Japan
Really Useful Records releases Sarah Brightman Sings The Songs Of Andrew Lloyd Webber. As far as I know this was only released in Japan and Australia. It has 2 different CD covers. The Australian version ha the Olympics Songs
Sarah and Jose Carraras
close the Barcelona Olympic Games singing the theme song "Amigos Para
Siempre" to a
worldwide audience of 3 billion people!
Sarah plays Rose Trelawney in Trelawney of the 'Wells at the Comedy Theatre London and also records theme song called Evening Star but is not commercially released.
Released third solo album
Dive,
with producer Frank Petersen
Single Captain Nemo on 7" vinyl and CD. The CD
single has the following tracks Captain Nemo Radio edit
& Extended Version (unavailable elsewhere) When It Rains In America and
Island. Also music video for Capt. Nemo released.
Second single from Dive
released on 7" vinyl and CD form. Second Element CD single has the
following tracks: The Second Element, The Second Element
(album version) Island and Rain.
Appears in Relative Values as Miranda Frayle at the Chichester Festival Theatre, Sussex and then transferred to the Savoy Theatre in London's West End.
Appears in Dangerous
Obsessions in Basingstoke, Haymarket Theatre, Hampshire England, where
sh
e
starred as Sally Driscoll in N.J. Crisp's suspenseful play.
Sarah does two concerts in Japan in February and one in June performing songs like Regnava Nel Silenzio, Alleluja, O Mio Babbino Caro, La Wally, Depuis Le Jour, Les Filles de Cadix, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, The Music Of The Night, and Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.
Recorded Surrender The Unexpected Songs
with Andrew Lloyd Webber, this is a great Andrew
Lloyd Webber album and is highly recommended. Many songs recorded again with
orchestras - such as Tell Me On A Sunday, Unexpected Song and Nothing Like
You've Ever Known which Sarah first sang
on
stage in Song and Dance / Tell Me On A Sunday.
Released
forth solo album Fly, and the following singles
from that album, Question of Honour 2
versions one version has very short and haunting beautiful song On
The Nile. The other dance mixes.
How Can Heaven
Love Me featuring Christopher Thompson and Heaven Is Here. Made Music
videos of How Can Heaven Love Me and Question Of
Honour.
Sarah performed at Henry Maske's final boxing match in 1995 and sung Question of Honour.
Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber 1995 Tour in the USA.
28 October 1995 Sarah recorded
The Sarah Brightman Gala Concert at The Hippodrome, Golders Green London which is aired
on BBC Radio
2. Rare Songs include:- Non Credea Mirarti & Non Giunge Uman
Pensiero, Signore Ascolta!, La Tragenda, Depuis
La Jour and for the first time Summertime. If I Loved You from
Carousel
which Sarah did
not sing on the
Studio album, and the track Lippen Schweigen - Love Unspoken with
Michael Bundy, from the Merry Widow -
which Sarah did not sing in her
stint on the
Merry
Widow. In the Interval there was a 20 minute Interview with Sarah
and ex husband Andrew Lloyd Webber in which Andrew says that without Sarah he
believes there would not have been Phantom, and Sarah disagrees.
Portrays Miss Giddens in The Innocents
at the
Haymarket Theatre
Basingstoke, Hampshire
England.
Stars in Concert Joy To The World at the Royal Albert hall on 12th December along with people like Cliff Richard, Gloria Hunniford, Grace Kennedy, Patricia Hodge and Christopher Biggins. it was in the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber starring Sarah Brightman & Anthony Warlow Australian Tour July - August 1996
Sarah was again seen on worldwide television, when she performed Question of Honour and Time To Say Goodbye with Andrea Bocelli. thanks to SBFlyfan.
Concert at the Church “Saint Maria Del Carmine, Milano” the 21 March, 1997 Sarah Brightman sang at the second part of this concert; The Requiem of Fauré.
thanks to Isa for this info
Timeless released, an Everlasting, Ageless and Celebrated Classical Album. This includes some of my favories - No-One Like You, Time To say Goodbye
CD Single Time
To Say Goodbye (Con Te Partiro) duet with Andrea Bocelli makes No. 2 in
British
Charts! Promo CD single has the versions of Time To Say Goodbye sung by Sarah in English
and Spanish. This single went on to make history in
Germany, and became the best selling single there ever! Tracks are Time
To Say Goodbye (Con Te Partiro), Sleep Tight (unreleased Track) You Take My
Breath Away
and Time To Say Goodbye (Con Te Partiro) Sarah's intimate version.
Other singles released are: -
Who Wants To Live Forever,
on 12" and CD single, (12" version rare dance mixes) CD
