NAGOYA, Japan, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Soprano Sarah Brightman has paid tribute to late Chinese singer Liu Huan, her duet partner at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, describing him as a "true gentleman."
Brightman said on her social media account, "I have been saddened to hear of the passing of the great Liu Huan, who I had the pleasure of singing with at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, performing the opening theme song, 'You and Me.'"
"He was an amazing talent and a true gentleman. He will be greatly missed."
Liu, one of China's most celebrated musicians, died of illness in Shanghai on Friday morning at the age of 63.
His most internationally recognized performance came at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he performed the theme song "You and Me" alongside Brightman before an audience of billions around the world.
A few years ago, Brightman told the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ) in Tokyo that it was an honor to be invited to sing with Liu before 91,000 spectators at Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium, describing the performance as "the highlight" of her career.
"It was such an honor," she said. "I think I was the only western artist to have performed on the opening show."
"In many ways, it was the highlight of my life. It was wonderful," she said.
Brightman has returned to China many times since the 2008 Olympics to hold concerts across the country. She and Liu also performed "You and Me" together again during her 2014 concert in Beijing. ■
