You know the saddest part? All the reviews talk about what a great voice she is in and she’s 47 YEARS OLD. Like that means, she should barely be breathing anymore and that her crazy soprano should have morphed itself into church singer status, by now. She should have a vibrato the size of a ditch and be a complete wreck, according to reviewers everywhere.
Sarah Brightman. Never been a fan. She’s always been that girl that married Weber. So, saint maybe…but truly talented, come on! Plus, I can’t stand that vapid look on her face. I just couldn’t look at her, let alone listen to notes only dogs can and should hear, with a straight face.
But, what a show! Last night, there I was on the sidelines of one of her concerts and was completely entertained.
First, I have to give the lady props for production. Her stage director was brilliant. The designers were basically creating images for the opera. Although, she had backup dancers… she just stood there. No Beyonce’ dance breaks for her. So, they had to make a recital interesting to the average Joe. The stage is set up around a large cavernous hole, with catwalks surrounding it. A large truss is secured by the ceiling. Within it, was some sort of reflective material…Plexiglas or something? The stage is raised off the floor, about 7 feet. They project images up from the ground, on to the truss material and appear to “change the scenery” behind her. It really was pretty ingenious. At one point, she enters on to the stage floor and with the glass we can see her and the dancers down “in the pit”. They project a water image and they are suddenly swimming. Really pretty cool design.
Her costumes were a crazy mix of Opera Diva and Drag Queen. Without her make-up she is very ordinary. She came in to the theatre for sound check, dressed like a Russian Cassock- hat, boxy fur vest, peasant dress, granny boots. But on stage….wow. Her hair was transformed into wavy, sexy Victoria Secret hair down to her waist. It was thicker than her torso and flowed in gorgeous mounds over her shoulders. But, WHAT WAS SHE WEARING? Tight, 22 inch corsets, with skirts bustled into tiers of lace, flounce, sequin, and net. The skirts were shortened in the front to reveal thin little thighs. 6” stripper boots, topped off the look. Very Pricilla Queen of the Desert meets Phantom of the Opera. But, the audience loved it. Oh you guys. The things you love.
Vocally, it wasn’t my bag. But, visually it was stunning. And I have to give the girl credit. She employed a lot of people last night performing for about 3000 people and was adored.
