Friday, August 8, 2008

Olympic Song Revealed



The official theme song of the 2008 Beijing Olympics has been revealed, and no, it isn't by John Williams!


Appropriately, a Chinese composer has written the official song, You and Me. Qigang Chen (born 1951; name pronounced "Chee-gang") is one of the leading Chinese composers of his generation. He studied with Olivier Messiaen in Paris.


The song was a closely guarded secret until was performed at the close of the opening ceremonies on Friday. It had been omitted from all rehearsals. You and Me was sung by Sarah Brightman and Liu Huan to an estimated audience of 100,000 in the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium, and countless billions on worldwide TV.


This is Brightman's second Olympic appearance. She previously sang Friends for Life, the theme to the 1992 Games in Barcelona, with Jose Carreras.


Mr. Chen's other works include the ballet Raise the Red Lantern.

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