Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection
Sarah Brightman's career was launched by her success in Andrew Lloyd Webber'sPhantom of the Opera, so it's no surprise to hear the soprano paying homage to the composer on this disc. Really a Brightman best-of, the album includes thePhantomtheme (a duet with Michael Crawford), the light-opera fare of "Chanson D'enfance" fromAspects of Love, "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" fromEvita, and numerous other Lloyd Webber classics. Throughout, Brightman's diminutive voice lends a fragility to these musical theater tunes that you'll either love or despise. OnEvita's "Another Suitcase, Another Hall" andCats' "Memory," she literally chirps through the vocal lines. No matter. The growing legion of Brightman fans wouldn't have it any other way.--Jason Verlinde