Comparative Analysis of Sarah Brightman and 2 Cellos, Classical Artists Applying Successful Crossover Strategy to Popular Music

For decades now, musicians have been using crossover to expand their career and earn more knowledge about the music industry. Soprano Sarah Brightman and duo 2 Cellos are classically trained musicians who implemented crossover into their career and used their classical training as guidance of become successful.
Musicians who restrict themselves only to classical music may approach danger regarding a career and livelihood, which includes audience interest, employability and financial instability. In this study the term “crossover” refers to classical artists’ who use their skills to perform other genres. Crossover gives artists the chance to appeal to larger audiences and extend their repertoire of music while using techniques used in classical works.
Classical musicians such as Sarah Brightman and 2 Cellos are being forced to cross musical genres because of employability, declining audience interest in classical music and financial instability. Within this research I am going to compare and analyze the crossover of one classical vocalist, Sarah Brightman, and a classical instrumentalist group named 2 Cellos. My research will focus on the following three questions:
Research Question #1
What are the critical factors for successful crossover for classical musicians to pop?
Research Question #2
What crossover processes did Sarah Brightman and 2 Cello’s employ to transition from classical to pop music?
Research Question #3
Was Sarah Brightman’s and 2 Cellos crossover to pop music successful according to the definition and parameters of success?
This paper ends with a conclusion highlighting my findings, which summarizes the major points of this research and provide ideas for further research on the concept of crossover.