At 65, the golden-voiced artist Sarah Brightman is experiencing some of the best moments of her life. The Grammy-winning singer, who famously originated the role of Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera, has opened up to the Daily Mail about her thriving career, festive plans, and the personal joys that keep her grounded.
A Festive Tour and Family Christmas
Before she settles down for a cosy Christmas in England with her family, Brightman is embarking on a major musical journey. Her North America tour, ‘A Winter Symphony’, kicks off on November 26th at the Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls. The spectacle promises to be a magical holiday experience, featuring an orchestra, choir, and special guests. She will perform a range of songs, from religious hymns and holiday classics to iconic hits from Phantom of the Opera.
The tour will visit numerous cities, including stops in New Jersey, Florida, and Virginia, before concluding at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, Texas, on December 21st. Brightman admits that a holiday show is emotionally challenging to produce but she relishes the task. She describes it as “a very personal thing” due to her deep love for the Christmas season.
This love will be fully realised when she returns to England to celebrate with her loved ones. “I will be spending Christmas with my lovely partner,” Brightman revealed, though she has chosen to keep his name private. “We are going to be in England for Christmas with my family... There will be 24 people at our Christmas table this year because I have a lot of sisters and nieces and nephews.” She added that time with her boyfriend and two dogs provides a sense of stability in the whirlwind world of entertainment.
Stamina, Shape, and Lasting Friendships
Brightman credits her enduring energy and passion to her unwavering focus on her music. “I focus on what my passions are and that fuels me,” she stated, feeling fortunate to have the vitality to pursue her desires. To maintain her fitness for the demanding stage performances, she incorporates walks, yoga, and Pilates into her routine. Her secret weapon for staying youthful and happy, however, is surprisingly simple: “I take a lot of naps.”
The singer also reflected on her past relationships, noting that she has maintained a friendship with her ex-husband, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. “He is an amazing person to have created what he has done in his life. He is the real deal,” she said of the man she was married to from 1984 to 1990. Prior to that, she was married to Andrew Graham-Stewart (1973-1980) and had a decade-long relationship with record producer Frank Peterson.
A Legendary Career Continues
Brightman’s career is a tapestry of remarkable achievements. After first finding fame at 16 with the dance troupe Hot Gossip, she became a star of the West End, appearing in Cats before her legendary turn in Phantom. She has since become an international superstar, with global sales exceeding 35 million units and over 180 Gold and Platinum awards in more than 40 countries.
Her talents have recently been on display in her acclaimed role as Norma Desmond in the Australian production of Sunset Boulevard, a performance she continued with sold-out shows in Singapore and China this year. Her contributions to music and theatre have been honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an Honorary Doctorate, and the Italian decoration ‘Cavaliere’.
With a holiday tour that captures the magic of the season and a family Christmas to look forward to, Sarah Brightman proves that passion and love are the true secrets to a life well-lived.
SARAH BRIGHTMAN CHRISTMAS SPECTACLE TOUR DATES
- November 26 — OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino — Niagara Falls, ON
- November 28 — Event Center at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa — Atlantic City, NJ
- November 29 — Mohegan Sun Arena — Uncasville, CT
- November 30 — State Theatre New Jersey — New Brunswick, NJ
- December 2 — CNU's Ferguson Center for the Arts — Newport News, VA
- December 4 — North Charleston Performing Arts Center — North Charleston, SC
- December 6 — Jacksonville Center for Performing Arts — Jacksonville, FL
- December 7 — Dr. Phillips Center — Orlando, FL
- December 9 — Ryman Auditorium — Nashville, TN
- December 10 — Ovens Auditorium — Charlotte, NC
- December 12 — Ruth Eckerd Hall — Clearwater, FL
- December 13 — Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino — Hollywood, FL
- December 14 — Artis – Naples — Naples, FL
- December 15 — Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall — Sarasota, FL
- December 17 — Atlanta Symphony Hall — Atlanta, GA
- December 19 — Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land — Sugar Land, TX
- December 20 — Majestic Theatre — San Antonio, TX
- December 21 — AT&T Performing Arts Center — Dallas, TX
