Brightman aims for the universe

Sarah Brightman is one of the most popular Western singers in China. Zou Hong / China Daily

Sarah Brightman's upcoming tour in China will give fans a sense of being in space.

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"The costume and stage designs will remind audiences of the universe, stars and moon," says the famous soprano, known for her powerful wide vocal range. Brightman gave a concert recently at Reignwood Theater in Beijing, where she announced her six-city tour around China in June.

Her concerts will be part of her upcoming world tour, Dreamchaser, which shares the same name as her new album to be launched this year. Both projects are inspired by her planned trip to the International Space Station in 2015.

Involving two years of preparation, Brightman will spend six months in Russia's Star City cosmonaut training center and become the first recording artist to step into space.

"I think of myself not just as a dreamer, but as a dream chaser," says the singer, who is also an actress and dancer.

She describes the journey as fulfilling a childhood desire, adding that space exploration has inspired her life.

At 8, she dreamed about traveling to space someday herself after seeing television images of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon in 1969.

"Hopefully, I can sing from space with children on Earth, which will be very exciting for me.