Sarah Brightman, born on August 14, 1960, is an English classical crossover soprano and actress known for her groundbreaking impact on both musical theatre and the classical crossover genre. She began her career with the dance group Hot Gossip and as a solo disco artist before making her West End debut in Cats. Brightman later originated the role of Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera, a production whose cast album became the best-selling of all time. Transitioning to classical crossover, Brightman collaborated with producer Frank Peterson and became recognized as a leading figure and innovator in the genre. Her duet with Andrea Bocelli, Time to Say Goodbye, achieved enormous international success and became one of the best-selling singles ever. Throughout her career, Brightman has sold over 25 million albums worldwide, received more than 200 gold and platinum awards, and is considered the world’s best-selling soprano. She made history by performing at two Olympic Games and was named UNESCO Artist for Peace for her contributions to music and humanitarian efforts. Since 2010, she has served as a global brand ambassador for Panasonic.