Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Sparked by the popularity of her inaugural holiday livestream during a period of pandemic-forced isolation, Sarah Brightman brought “A Christmas Symphony” to real life a year later, including a stop at the stunning and COVID-safety conscious Auditorium Theatre.

The historic hall seemed tailor made for the world’s best-selling soprano, who gained global fame starring in Broadway’s “The Phantom Of The Opera” before embarking on a recording career that’s continued through 2018’s chart-topping “Hymn.”

Along with a lush orchestra and charming choir, the classical crossover star touched on all of the above with a particular emphasis on the season, from the sumptuous sounds of “The Nutcracker Overture” to the faith-centered “Ave Maria” and Matt Redman’s “Better Is One Day.”

The inspiration kept coming as Brightman pristinely delivered the newer “Follow Me,” Linda Ronstadt’s “Winter Light” and the operatic aria “Nessun Dorma” with effortless grace, while also giving her ace backing cast a chance to shine as she changed into several spectacular, Yuletide-themed outfits.

Even the candlelit scenery was straight out of a snow globe, adding additional atmosphere to such vocal gymnastics as ABBA’s “Arrival,” Vince Gill’s “Colder Than Winter,” Greg Lake’s “I Believe In Father Christmas” and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Pie Jesu” (with duet dynamo Narcis).

However, the singer/songwriter/actress really brought the chandelier down with the Josh Groban-like Jay Dref for “The Phantom Of The Opera” and continued to surpass even the grandest of expectations with an exquisite rendition of her classic Andrea Bocelli collaboration, “Time To Say Goodbye,” to usher in the exquisite encore of “Amazing Grace” and John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”

Whether Brightman was reminiscing, uplifting or ushering in the spirit that only Advent can bring, it was a true testament to an inimitable talent who gave the Windy City a gorgeous and glorious gift to unwrap well beyond a single evening.

For additional information on Sarah Brightman, visit SarahBrightman.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Auditorium Theatre include Straight No Chaser (Dec. 11); David Sedaris (Dec. 12); The String Cheese Incident (Dec. 30-Jan. 1); Too Hot To Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah (Jan. 15-16); Eddie Vedder with Glen Hansard (Feb. 9) and Nick Cave & Warren Ellis (Mar. 20). For additional details, visit AuditoriumTheatre.org.

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