Before preparing to set off on her trip to the International Space Station in 2015, renowned crossover soprano Sarah Brightman returns to Beijing for her world tour, Dreamchaser.

With costumes and stage designs reminding audiences of the universe, stars and moon, the 53-year-old musician will perform her longtime hits along with songs from her 11th studio album, Dreamchaser. To usher in the Chinese Lunar New Year on Jan 31, Brightman might add festive elements to the stage.

Since her China tour kicked off in June 2013, the singer has wowed audiences with lavish visual designs, elaborate lighting and her powerful classical pop offerings.

Her new songs continued the musician's crossover interpretation of songs, such as Paul McCartney's band Wing's Venus and Mars, and British alternative rock band Elbow's One Day Like This.

She will take six months of further training in Russia before departing for outer space in 2015, which will see her singing from space with children on Earth.

When she comes back to Earth, she plans to hold a 2016 tour themed on the universe. She also plans to work with a Chinese musician on a new album, which will have a mixture of Chinese and English songs.

Brightman, who is a UNESCO ambassador, says the trip will serve as a way to promote the United Nations' message of encouraging education for women in the scientific and environmental fields.

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/05/2014 page9)