A musical fantasy becomes a visual feast -- teeming with epic and timeless settings, shimmering colors, and sensuous images -- in the new TV special inspired by Sarah Brightman's new worldwide hit recording Harem on Angel/EMI Records. Filmed on location throughout ancient Morocco, HAREM: THE SARAH BRIGHTMAN SPECIAL - A DESERT FANTASY lends a new dimension to the experience of the recording, on which Brightman's soaring soprano reaches into a new creative dimension, inspired by the sounds and images of the Middle East of legend.

Visual images were always a part of the singer's inspiration for Harem. "I am fascinated by the desert, by the space, the peace and spirituality, all those fantastic Technicolor images from The Arabian Nights and Lawrence of Arabia, among others," she says. "It was a feeling at first but as I immersed myself in Turkish and Middle Eastern music, especially some of the new dance things that are being produced now, I became intrigued by the whole idea. I like a big cinematic feel with music and these sounds and inspirations gave me a framework with a lot of space to create within."

Brightman's recordings have always inspired imaginative films and videos, but Harem is the most dazzling cinematic realization yet of her music. The dramatic yet elusive beauty of Morocco and its people creates a mesmerizing image for the music from the recording. The film was shot variously in the Atlas Mountains, at the old University of Marrakech and in the Kasbah of the ancient city of Ait ben Haddou, as well as in a real desert oasis and in the dramatic sand dunes on Morocco's Atlantic coast.

Ten songs from Harem are featured in the program -- classic songs such as "What a Wonderful World" and "Stranger in Paradise," as well as such originals as the title track, "Beautiful," "Mysterious Days," "What You Never Know," "It's a Beautiful Day," "Free," "The War Is Over," and "The Journey Home." The special also includes new performances of signature Brightman songs "Time to Say Goodbye" and "Anytime, Anywhere."

The special, like the recording itself, is among the singer's most unique and personal projects to date, a realization of creative abilities as well as her own sense of fantasy. Brightman's recordings have sold more than 15 million copies worldwide, and the television films that have accompanied each of the albums have only broadened and deepened her audience appeal.

Sarah Brightman's talents are celebrated the world over; she regularly plays to packed houses in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Over the last few years, she has performed more concerts in the U.S. than any other British artist and will begin her worldwide tour, kicking off in North America in January '04.

The program is presented nationally on public television stations by WLIW New York.