The Japanese Cast(s).

[Countess Cain]

I recently saw a copy of the 1999 Japanese cast PotO soundtrack on Amazon... And I was wondering if anyone here has heard it.

It is rather expensive, though, and though I really want it, I want to know everyone else's opinions first. =)

I am used to listening to Japanese stuff, so if that was what bothered you about it... Then I probably won't mind it. XD

So... What do you think about it, in simple? =D

By the way, I wasn't sure whether to put this here or the ALW section, so... Don't get angry at me. o.O;

[IamErik771]

I have not heard the 1999 cast at all, but I have heard the 1988 original cast and the 1992 cast, and they were both extremely good. The 1988 cast starred Masachika Ichimura as the Phantom (he sounds almost exactly like a Japanese Michael Crawford! :D), Reiko Nomura as Christine (possibly my fave stage Christine ever), and Yuichiro Yamaguchi as Raoul. Yamaguchi went on to play the Phantom in the 1992 cast, and he's extremely awesome. He can also hold notes for a superhumanly long time. For example, the "All I Ask Reprise." He holds the last note for 8 measures instead of the usual 3 or 4 (without having taken a breath after "all that the Phantom asked of..." first), and immediately afterward, yells at the top of his lungs as the chandelier comes down. The 1992 recording is also apparently the most complete of the Japanese CDs. The only scene it leaves out that's in the OLC is the Don Juan rehearsal.

BTW, they (obviously) sing in Japanese. I typed the lyrics in English so everyone here could understand. :)

[Countess Cain]

I've heard a lot about Yuichiro Yamaguchi's time as the Phantom, but I can't even find it to buy anywhere. If you don't mind my asking, where did you hear it at? =)


He holds the last note for 8 measures instead of the usual 3 or 4 (without having taken a breath after "all that the Phantom asked of..." first), and immediately afterward, yells at the top of his lungs as the chandelier comes down.

Just... Whoa. That's all I can really say about that.

Thanks for your review, by the way. ^_^

[IamErik771]

A very nice phan e-mailed them to me a few months ago, in MP3 format. They gave me all of the 1992 recordings, and a few tracks from the 1988 cast.

I think the Japanese recordings have the best orchestra backing of any POTO album I have heard. They are extremely accurate, but also put in enough emotion to make it absolutely awesome. My only complaint with the 1992 album is that Point of No Return is a little too fast for my taste. (I prefer it when it's slow and seductive.) And I also think they made Carlotta too nice. She talks far too properly and politely to be believable as a pain-in-the-neck diva. :D

[Countess Cain]

First of all, thanks so much, James! So far, I'm loving it to pieces! It's kind of different hearing a Japanese person singing about a 'Christine', and I heard them saying 'Phantom of the Opera' in English too. (Or at least I think I did. D:)

*Loves.* <3

[IamErik771]

Aye, some parts were not translated at all. "The Phantom of the Opera" was left alone, as the Japanese translation (Operaza no Kaijin) may not have fit in 9 syllables without sounding awkward. Obviously, the character names have to be left alone as well. Also, note the parts where Raoul and Erik sing "Christine, I love you..." ;)

I'm now in the process of literally translating the songs into English. I found a very nice site that translated a few of the songs, (http://www.geocities.com/petite_kiryuu/phantom.html) but unfortunately, there were some pretty big mistakes in it.

[Countess Cain]

Yeah, I guess that would probably be it. I can't blame them for not translating it, then. ;T

Do you happen to like the 'Down Once More'? It's my favorite version out of all the ones I've heard so far. I'm not quite sure why. o_O;

I look forward to seeing your translations!

[IamErik771]

Yeah, the Japanese "Down Once More" is quite awesome. I love the lyrics, which literally translate to:

Phantom:
Come with me once more! There is no light in the sanctum of my soul!
Why was I shut in the darkness of hell?
All my suffering is because of my ugly face!

Chorus (voices):
Capture the murderer!

Phantom:
I hate being pulled out [of my domain]
As I continue to endure hatred
They’ll pursue me until my horrible body is finished.
Christine, why does it have to be like this?

Giry:
Raise your hand up to your eyes

Raoul:
Raise your hand up to your eyes

Chorus (voices):
Raise your hand up to your eyes
Capture the murderer; capture the murderer
The animal is cornered
We shall not allow this anymore
The Phantom of the Opera lurks in here
It is the Phantom of the Opera
He’s in here, the Phantom of the Opera

[Forgotten Angel]

Whoa... Japanese Phantom? They make those? o.0 Wow. Okay, I don't speak Japanese or anything, but if it's as good as you say it is, I wouldn't mind hearing it anyway!

Oh, and EIGHT measures?! Whooooooooooooooooooa...... O_O

[IamErik771]

All righty . . . I finally got my hands on the 1999 cast recording (and also the whole 1988 version). I love this cast -- the Christine here (Rumi Iryo) is superior to the 1992 one (though my personal favorite of the three is still Ryoko Nomura, from the '88 cast). However, the Raoul is off-key quite a lot, and imo, the Erik (Kiyotaka Imai) isn't quite as hypnotic or enticing as the other two. It's still very much worth a listen, though . . . particularly if you happen to be a Carlotta fan. ;)

[Minoru Inoue]

My roommate and I adore listening to "Poor Fool" from the 1999 cast, because that Carlotta has the most amazing voice. I know you're not supposed to like Carlotta, but in this case she TOTALLY kicks Christine's butt. *grin*

Although I normally prefer Erik to be played by a baritone, the baritone Phantom in the 1999 cast is pretty awful. *shrug* Go figure.

[Taka]

:)


:) :)

I love the 1988 cast. Masachika Ichimura is just plain powerful in the finale, from what I heard of it. Sexy, too!