The Songs That Got Away

Released in 1989, 'The Songs That Got Away' is a conceptual project produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber that focuses on rare or cut songs from famous musicals. Unlike her later 'Diva' persona, this album showcases Brightman as a versatile theatrical interpreter. The repertoire includes works by Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, and Irving Berlin, many of which were previously unrecorded or obscure. Critics, including those at AllMusic, have noted the album's intelligence and the high quality of the arrangements, which avoid the synth-heavy traps of late-80s production in favor of a timeless orchestral sound. It stands as a pivotal moment in her discography, proving her ability to handle complex, narrative-driven material before she fully transitioned into the 'Classical Crossover' pioneer she is known as today. The inclusion of Puccini's 'Chi il bel sogno di doretta' serves as a bridge between her theatrical roots and her operatic aspirations.