N.Z. Teen Opera Star Passes Million Mark

MELBOURNE, Australia (Billboard) - The debut international album by 16-year-old New Zealand classical singer Hayley Westenra has sold one million copies worldwide, according to Universal Music New Zealand.

"Pure," which was released last September, has become the best-selling debut album in the history of the British classical charts. The album was produced by Giles Martin, who brought aboard his father, Sir George Martin.

It topped the New Zealand pop charts for a record 15 weeks, and has shifted 135,000 units in the nation of four million, equivalent to an album selling 10 million copies in the U.S.

Universal says "Pure" is the No. 2 best-selling New Zealand album ever, after Crowded House's hits set "Recurring Dream" (Capitol), which has sold 1.2 million units worldwide.

"Pure" is set for U.S. release this spring, according to Westenra's official Web site, http://www.hayleywestenra.com. It is being released outside New Zealand by Decca.

Reuters/Billboard

Updated : August 6, 2004 1:03

Article thanks to E-Media - Not for reproduction

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