Live Photos: Amy Aiello
Sarah Brightman Live Review
Allstate Arena - 12/04/08
Review By: Dennis M. Kelly
It was one of the first of many colder nights in Chicago; however it was a perfect setting for a “Winter Symphony” by the one and only, Sarah Brightman. This tour has been heralded as a groundbreaking tour for her incorporation of holographic technology to her stage set; I was most excited to see how this technology looked to say the least…
Opening the show promptly at 7:30, blue lights fill the entire arena and in an amazing entrance of glowing white light, Sarah Brightman appears from the back end of the stage. Covered in a black veil, she made her way down the catwalk almost as a mannequin and was joined by two of her dancers who assisted her in removing her veil. Underneath it all, Ms. Brightman began to shine in a beautiful flowing red gown and the crowd roared. The opening song was “Gothica / Fleurs Du Mal” from the album “Symphony”, one of two of the albums being supported for this tour, the other being the most recent “A Winter Symphony” which was released in November.
While not a sold out crowd, the audience ranged in ages from a 12 year old girl who was so excited that her grandmother got her tickets, she cried, to people upwards in their 60’s. The audience also was quite varied in their ethnic backgrounds as there were a few different languages being spoken around me including Russian, Chinese and Polish, to name a few.
After the opening track, Sarah greeted the audience and explained that this concert is meant to be taken as a celebration and to say thank you to her audience who’ve been with her over her 30 year career. She then lead the audience to the next song adding that it was her favorite song from the “Symphony” album, entitled “Let it Rain”.
Ms. Brightman has perfected the art of balancing each element of the concert experience; from the visual elements, dance sequences and holding true to the power of the music as it is on its own without any additional enhancements.
The first interlude (costume change) saw her beautiful dancers sporting Asian umbrellas, as they danced and made their way down the catwalk. The music was also Asian influenced, but then as the dancers made their way off the stage, it changed to become the next song, which was “What a Wonderful World”, from the “Harem” album. Ms. Brightman looked almost like a fairy surrounded by holographic blades of grass and trees. The blending between her and the scenery looked seamless, though the frame of each of the three large panels was reflective silver and did (at times) distract from the scenes being shown.
“Hijo De La Luna” was most creative and effective with Ms. Brightman and her dancers all under the stage; only visible in the reflection of the large panels. From there, they were arranged in a circle with Ms. Brightman in the center. The entire background was shimmering light reflected off water which created an oceanic feel during the sequence. The illusion this created made it appear that each of them was hanging by cables in the air, but allowed them to do far better dance moves in this fashion.
Following this great song was the third (of a eight) costume changes and a stirring rendition of the title track “La Luna”. I found myself mesmerized during this piece; I had gotten so absorbed in it that I barely noticed the reflection of the moon in the background or anything else for that matter.
After another costume change, Ms. Brightman sang the final 4 songs before intermission, which included a surprise appearance by Mario Frangoulis joining her on “Canto Della Terra”.
Returning from intermission saw each of her dancers walking down the catwalk where an old phonograph player and pair of red dancing shoes were sitting. Each dancer was carrying a large red balloon and as they reached the end of the catwalk, they sat down and waited for the return of Ms. Brightman. The song, “You Take My Breath Away” began as she joined them and the dancers used the balloons in their dance moves during the song. The crowd got much louder when it was realized that the next song was “The Phantom of the Opera” which also featured Mario Frangoulis.
One of the more visually appealing pieces was a song called “Red Riding Hood Rap” that had Alice from Alice in Wonderland run onto the stage and then the catwalk, looking around and then being joined by the rabbit. Ms. Brightman appeared in the back end of the stage on a stationary bike but the projection showed trees moving by on both sides of her giving the illusion of her riding along. Additional characters and images were displayed while the dancers held the forefront of the stage.
The next few songs brought a Christmas theme and also had one more appearance, this time, by Fernando Lima who joined her on “Ave Maria”.
All in all, Sarah Brightman delivers a well rounded concert that is sure not to disappoint. No matter what aspects of Ms. Brightman’s music you appreciate, she brings it all in good measure and presents it all in a spectacular way.
Sarah Brightman Biography
By: Siew May Chin
Everything about Sarah Brightman is multi-dimensional. Her penchant for fusing musical genres. Her multi-faceted voice. Her contrasting personas. Is it any wonder then that the life and career of this multi-platinum artist is equally colorful and intriguing?
Very often, fans of Sarah's latest works are surprised to learn of her illustrious past in Andrew Lloyd Webber productions on Broadway and the West End. Conversely, those who remember her landmark role in Phantom of the Opera find themselves marveling at the exciting direction that her career has taken in the decade since her departure from musical theatre. Hardcore Sarah fans, no doubt, are well aware that her singing career began with chart-topping success in the disco era, with a dancing career that extended all the way back to her childhood.
For more information about Sarah Brightman, please visit her at the following links:
Sarah Brightman Official | Sarah Brightman Myspace | Sarah Brightman Facebook