Barbra Streisand First London Show in 13 Years Is Spectacular

Barbra Streisand returned to London after 13 years to eight standing ovations at the 02 Arena - the seventh stop on her first ever, record-breaking European tour.

Streisand's voice excelled in London's newest state of the art arena, which made the most of the incredible vocal range Barbra naturally exudes, much to the appreciation of the 15,000 capacity audience.

The star-studded audience included Impressario Andrew Lloyd Webber, actress Joan Collins, actor Richard E Grant, designer Randolph Duke, novelist Kathy Lette and other luminaries.

Streisand's rendition of "Music of the Night" from "The Phantom of the Opera" was greeted with a standing ovation from Lloyd Webber.

She paid tributes to composer Stephen Sondheim with his "Children Will Listen" from "Into the Woods" and designer Randolf Duke for. The audience were also privy to her daytime tour of London including to the Knightbridge store, Harrods, where she described how she got happily lost inside its famous Food Halls.

The audience listened intently as Streisand announced during her intimate Q&A session with them that the night was truly a special occasion for her - as it was her husband James Brolin's birthday.

A 58-piece orchestra and four male Broadway vocalists accompanied Streisand as she performed many of the classic songs from her unique repertoire such as "Evergreen", "People", "The Way We Were", "Don't Rain on My Parade" and many more.

Streisand's Manchester show received plaudits from across the UK including the Daily Telegraph who praised her : "enduring appeal". The Independent : "The power range and tonal quality of her voice becomes fully apparent...an enduring star quality". The Daily Mail hailed : "Barbra : The evergreen makes it all llook so easy...her incredible vocal ability ".

This followed her historic performance in Germany where she signed Berlin's prestigious Guest Book at the Waldbuhne in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit. The Guest Book remained in the City Hall and had never before in its history been moved from its resting place. A special exception was granted for Barbra Streisand.

It has been a fantastic European tour for Streisand who, prior to Berlin, was presented with the Legion of Honour by President Sarkozy in Paris. The award is the highest honour that can be given to a civilian. President Sarkozy was quoted as saying: "you are the American we love".

Streisand performed at Paris' Bercy on to a star-studded audience including the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Benard Kouchner, Diane Von Furstenberg, Dominique Bession, Charles Aznavour, Jean Paul Belmondo, Alain Delon, Line Renaud and Cécilia Sarkozy, wife of President Nicolas Sarkozy.