Like many, I first became enchanted with Sarah Brightman when I heard her sing the role of Christine in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. I still listen to the 2-disc soundtrack of the rock-opera regularly, along with other Brightman hits; Time to Say Goodbye, Eden, and so on. So I was thrilled to see she has released a compilation album, Diva: The Singles Collection. And because she’s gorgeous and has stunning visual creativity, I awaited the accompanying DVD with equal enthusiasm: Diva: The Video Collection. Make no mistake, just because they share a title, this doesn’t mean they are interchangeable in a fan’s collection. Sold separately, the CD holds just 14 songs, while the DVD showcases 20 music videos, complete with background stories by Brightman herself.
The selection of songs on the CD showcases an excellent mix of the music that spans her career: from early works such as “Pie Jesu” to a taste of Phantom, with songs such as “Music of the Night” to her covers such as “Scarborough Fair.” The only song I truly missed from this collection was her cover of “Dust in the Wind,” but that’s what an iPod playlist is for, right?
The album opens with the title song from Phantom of the Opera. The music is dynamic, as always, and Brightman gives her usual dramatic performance. However, if you are used to Michael Crawford, you may find Steve Harley's singing of The Phantom’s lines distracting (as you also may the alternate lyrics). Harley’s voice is harsher, rockier, and doesn’t meld as well with Brightman’s soprano as Michael Crawford’s did. Of course, I grew up seeing and hearing Michael Crawford as The Phantom, so the bias may be ingrained in my psyche.
The album continues with the haunting “Music of the Night” and the sorrowful “Pie Jesu,” whose Latin words translate “Merciful Jesus (Pie Jesu), Grant them rest (Dona eis requiem).” A similar plea arises in a more personal (instead of social) way in the poignant “Deliver Me.” I could have sworn this was a cover of Depeche Mode, but, evidently, I was wrong. It’s okay though; what Depeche Mode might have made pouty, Brightman’s voice pulls out of the lyrics the inspirational, hopeful message of the music. This introduces a theme woven throughout much of her music: hope in the midst of despair. “Who Wants to Live Forever” is one of my favorites, and another example of this, with its dark lyrics and powerful music.
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1 - Connie Phillips
Congrats! This article has been forwarded to the Advance.net websites.