Sarah Brightman preps for live CD, DVD and more touring

Soprano Sarah Brightman, who opened the year by performing nearly 50 North American concerts in three months, launches another month-long trek in October.

Ticket information for most of the upcoming dates hadn't been announced at press time, but ticket pre-sales will be offered to fans who register at the singer's official website. Details are available at the site.

Brightman continues to support her latest album, "Harem," which hit stores in June 2003. "I wanted to record an album with a Middle Eastern feel," she said in a press release issued when the album hit stores. "It just felt like the right way to go; just a feeling at first, which is how I begin all my albums. I have always loved that whole Arabian Nights feeling."

On Sept. 28, Brightman issues the concert CD "The Harem World Tour Live from Las Vegas," which was recorded during her sold-out March concert at the MGM Grand Garden arena. A DVD concert film of the same name hits stores on Oct. 19.

Most of the songs Brightman has been performing on tour this year are included on the live CD, including "Time To Say Goodbye," "La Luna," "A Question of Honour," "Phantom of the Opera Suite," "Who Wants to Live Forever," "Nessun Dorma" and songs from the "Harem" album.

The two-disc DVD--directed by David Mallet--features one disc of concert footage captured by 18 cameras and recorded in 5.1 Dolby and DTS surround sound. The second disc contains one-and-a-half hours of special features, including studio interviews with Brightman, Mallet and producer Frank Peterson.

Brightman rose to fame for her lead role in ex-husband Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway production "Phantom of the Opera." She launched her solo career in the late '80s, and has sold more than 15 million albums to date, according to Angel Records.