Sarah Brightman

English-born Sarah Brightman has nothing left to prove — throughout her career, her iconic soprano has been heard in the definitive versions of various Broadway tunes, successfully crossing over to pop while still making classical recordings. On her first holiday-themed album, with the London Symphony Orchestra, she takes on standards...

By Ernest Barteldes

November 13, 2008

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English-born Sarah Brightman has nothing left to prove — throughout her career, her iconic soprano has been heard in the definitive versions of various Broadway tunes, successfully crossing over to pop while still making classical recordings. On her first holiday-themed album, with the London Symphony Orchestra, she takes on standards like "Ave Maria" and "Silent Night." She surprises with a beautiful rendition of "Child in a Manger," set to the music of Cat Stevens' "Morning Has Broken," and breaks our hearts with "Colder Than Winter," a sad tune in which the narrator reflects on having a broken heart during the holidays. Things become more joyful with "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day," a rock-inflected tune with a joyful message of hope. Among the avalanche of holiday discs in stores now, this is definitely the one to go for.

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