Hirahara Ayaka Makes World Debut
Already regarded as one of the most talented young vocalists in Japanese music, Hirahara Ayaka (25) has been given the nod by none other than Andrew Lloyd Webber (61) in what the local media is calling her "world debut." The man behind such smash hits as "Cats" and "Evita" opened "Love Never Dies," his sequel to "Phantom of the Opera," on London's West End this week. And it was revealed yesterday that he chose Hirahara to sing the title song on the musical's album version. She recorded the song in a Tokyo studio in February and Webber was impressed enough to invite her to London for the premiere. "Love Never Dies" is due for release here on March 24.
A couple of numbers from the musical have been publicly performed and released in various forms over the last six months, and the title song has been recorded by Sierra Boggess, who is playing the heroine role of Christine Daaé, and Katherine Jenkins. The Welsh singer was originally invited to provide the album version, but it was decided her mezzo-soprano vocal range didn't quite fit the bill.
"Love Never Dies" is set 10 years after the original story. In his guise as an anonymous impresario, the Phantom invites Christine to perform at Phantasma, a new attraction in Coney Island. With her husband and son, she travels to Brooklyn.
Source: www.japan-zone.com/news/index.shtml