Original London Cast Recording

[The Phantom]

I haven't taken the opportunity to go out and buy it yet, but I've heard the entire thing several times. What do you all have to say about it? I'm amazed by Sarah Brightman's vocals and talent, as well as Michael Crawford's abilities as the Phantom. Keep all discussion on the London Cast recording here. :)

[Sweet Intoxication]

Michael Crawford is just amazing as the Phantom. I could listen to his voice for hours (which I have), ah it is just so wonderful.

But I actually don't care for Brightman's voice that much, I actually like Christine's voice in the movie much better. There's just something about Brightman's voice that I just don't care for. She has a good voice (an extremely good one) I just don't swoon over it liek I do for Crawford's.

[The Phantom]

Whoever is the one chosen to portray Christine or Phantom has to have the best singing voice. I listened to a sample of a Londom Orchestra tribute to the opera and it was horrible. The people performing did not sound convincing enough to be considered even worthy of being called Phantom. :mad:

[Meg Giry]

Although I find the woman herself annoying, I think Sarah Brightman's voice is one of the best Christine's I've heard. Emmy Rossum's voice is nice, but too...I can't think of the right word, but she doesn't even sound like an opera singer in the vast majority of the songs, whereas Sarah Brightman at least sounds the part.

I adore Michael Crawford's voice. Gives me the shivers. And I forget the name of the guy who plays Raoul, but he's really good too.

[Sweet Intoxication]

Right so I just listened to the soundtrack today (I've been listening to the movie one lately) and I'm afraid I may have to revise my opinion a little. Sarah Brightman is amazing...perhaps I just didn't think it was so good before because I really don't like her as a person. But she is vocally wonderful.

Ah Michael Crawford...still adoring his voice.

[The Phantom]

Sarah Brightman is more advanced in opera singing that Emmy Rossum is, since Emmy wasn't a performer to begin with I don't think. Though Emmy is good, Sarah has that sound to her voice that comes with experienced opera singers of her time. On lighter notes, I need to save up the money and fork out the $30 some dollars to go and buy the soundtracks.

[cinty]

What can I say? My sister bought the OLC today. I am utterly AMAZED!!! MC absolutely blew me away. His voice is so powerful and moving. He IS the angel of music. I love SB's voice too, but I think Emmy Rossum is my favourite Christine. Steve Barton was good too, but I love Patrick. Altogether, I think both the OLC and the movie were brilliantly cast!

[Meg Giry]

So Steve Barton is the OLC Raoul?

[cinty]

Originally posted by Carlotta Guidicelli
So Steve Barton is the OLC Raoul?
Yes. He is wonderful! But I think Patrick will always be my Raoul. Unfortunately Steve is passed away now.

[wolfwynd]

I am not a big fan of the OLC at all - I'm sorry to say this (and its just my opinion) but Sarah Brightman's voice grates me, her vibretto is too full and sometimes I struggle to understand what she is saying. I'm not too keen on MC either, he's got too a high a voice in order for the Phantom to be scary... and that's the whole point... :P I do however adore Steve Barton's Raoul, he was the best Raoul EVER and its a shame he died so young. :(

[Meg Giry]

I'd have to disagree with you on MC at the least, because I think what his pitch and tone does is to show his more human, loving side. He does pull off some sinister singing in parts, too.

[cinty]

I agree with Carlotta. He can do so much with his voice. Make it sound gentle and loving (Music of the Night) seductive and fascintating (Point of No Return) Tragic and also forceful (All I ask of You Reprise and Down ONce More) I absolute love his "YOU ALONE CAN MAKE MY SONG TAKE FLIGHT... IT'S OVER NOW THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT" and his reprise of Masquerade... and his evil laughter and "GOOOOOO!!!" and just everything he sings in other words!! HUGE MC fan here.

[IamErik771]

Perhaps I am prejudiced because Michael Crawford was the first Phantom I ever heard, but I've always thought that if Erik were a real person, he'd probably sound a lot like MC. His voice is simply phenomenal, and from what I have heard, he was amazing to watch as the phantom. Pity he's no longer doing the show, although I did see a video of him performing "Music of the Night" on stage. (shown on the local arts channel)

[cinty]

I watched MC doing Music of the Night on my dvd, and it was amazing. He was jut marvellous. I think that's how Erik would have sounded- the way Leroux intended him to sound.

[Forgotten Angel]

This was the first recording I ever heard of PotO, and I have to say that it is, in a word, amazing. While I admit that some parts are difficult to understand for most, I had no problem with any of it.

A lot of people have a hard time understanding me when I speak because I don't enunciate very well, but I have no trouble understanding people who have been out into the same boat, so to speak. For example, I'm the only student in my French class who can easily understand our teacher when she speaks English. The rest of them have trouble because she has a very heavy Haitian accent. I suppose it's the same with this recording; I ahve no trouble understanding it when most other people I know do.

On the voices: Yes, Sarah's voice can get annoying sometimes, but she's a coloratura - it's expected, really. Steve's voice... well, it was pretty good, but I was never a fan of any of the parts Raoul sings, so I can't say I particularly like any of the Raouls over the years. Although I like Steve's voice more than Patrick's. :p As for Michael... Well, what can I say? I loved Gerry, and I'm sure the many Phantoms over the years have been great too, but no matter how great they were/are, Michael Crawford was the original angel of music. No other voice fits the part better. Michael was born to play Erik, and he'll always be better than any other Erik can ever hope to be.

[cinty]

I'm so glad we have fellow OLC lovers here. I think that MC always will be the angel of music to me. He WAS born for the role, in my opinion.

[Always_Erik_Fan]

Originally posted by Sweet Intoxication
Michael Crawford is just amazing as the Phantom. I could listen to his voice for hours (which I have), ah it is just so wonderful.

But I actually don't care for Brightman's voice that much, I actually like Christine's voice in the movie much better. There's just something about Brightman's voice that I just don't care for. She has a good voice (an extremely good one) I just don't swoon over it liek I do for Crawford's.

Thank goodness someone agrees with me! I was starting to think I was the only person who didn't really care for her voice! I thought Emmy Rossum was a LOT better. *shrug* It's very nice to know that I'm not the only one!

[IamErik771]

I thought Sarah Brightman was OK, but a bit difficult to understand in some points. She's also somewhat emotionless. I immensely prefer Emmy Rossum's voice.

I am extremely glad that ALW decided to cast MC instead of his first choice for the Phantom: a British rock singer named Steve Harley, from the band Cockney Rebel. There was a music video released of the title song with him and Sarah Brightman, and it was incredibly bad, IMO.

[Silhouette]

I heard this soundtrack for the first time at my friends house a few weekends ago and i have to admit its truley amazing. I love Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman....I have to say they were much better then the 2 from the movie atleast in my opinion. They have stronger voices

[cinty]

I love Sarah Brightman but I do prefer Emmy. Sarah has a stronger voice and can reach the high notes better, but Emmy's voice sounds more sweet and innocent. They are both incredible singers though.

[Requiem]

Oooh, I'm a crazed Original London Phantom of the Opera fan! I have never seen it on stage, but I basically grew up listening to the soundtrack, a wicked little "Highlights" tape, and I was in love with it from the first listening... and SO in awe of Sarah's singing, especially at the end of "Phantom of the Opera"... I'd try to hit those notes all the time when I was little, and ahem, it was never very pretty ;).

In my humble opinion, I don't believe that either Gerard or Emmy have anything on Michael and Sarah. I'll start with Micahel... well, I suppose I'm a little biased because I loved him as Frank in "Some Mother's Do 'ave Em", but seriously, his voice is just amazing. Gerard, I thought, was bland. Sure, he sounded angry and passionate at times, especially in "Down Once More", but it was much more a growly thing than actual talent shining through. Michael just had IT. He was the perfect Phantom... he had an incredible vocal range, power and strength behind his voice, and an uncanny ability to bring strong emotion... at times, he sounded uncontrollably obsessed, almost psychotic and very mad. Gerard could bring great looks and anger to the Phantom, but he couldn't in any way reach Michael's intensity and disturbing allurance. And - dare I say - Michael just seemed far more alluring and strangely sexy to me! Gerard was too young, too good-looking, and not talented enough in the vocals department. Great actor, though.

Emmy's performance was better. She could sing quite well, and her voice was soft and sweet and innocent. However, I thought Sarah was the best Christine. Sure, Christine should be young and innocent and all, but she was still meant to have an incredibly talented, rare and beautiful voice. Emmy DOES have a great voice, but it isn't startling, and Christine was meant to be Operatic - Emmy was far more contemporary and she didn't sound in the least like a Soprano Opera singer. I do believe that Sarah's voice is exceptional (but I've loved her for ages so I may be biased ;)) - it's very strong and rich, and she has incredible range. I think she still sounds girly and innocent, as Emmy does, but she also shows growing maturity and strength of voice by the end of the Opera that Emmy does not convey.

I'm not saying Emmy and Gerard were bad- I loved the movie, and thought they were fantastic actors, with passable-to-good voices, but they were playing such powerful roles with such predetermined high expectations on their voices, and in my opinion, they weren't really able to rise to that.

[cinty]

I liked your post Requiem, especially about finding Michael Crawford sexy. Because, for some reason, I find his voice sexy too! And on my dvd, I have the whole of SB and MC in music of the Night, and I just think he looks great. His movements as he sings are sooo awesome!
I think, Sarah was the perfect stage Christine and Emmy the perfect movie Christine.
Oooh, and I llooovvvee MC as Frank Spencer, and have you seen him in "Hello Dolly"? I love him in that too... awww.. he is so cute!

[cinty]

You should hear my little sisters trying to sing the high notes. It's hilarious!! I too could listen to this cd for hours.. it's soooo wonderful.. MC just so totally rocks!! and the more I listen to Sarah, the more I love hrer voice.
it was funny, because I always thought Sarah sounded lovely, but just too old to play Christine. I played the soundtrack for my friend th other day, and the first thign she said was that Sarah sounded so young! She's like, "goodness, she sound much youneger than Emmy rossum doesn't she!" and I was like... okay! It was funny!

[operafreak84]

Heh, what can I say about the OLC other than I find it totally unlistenable now. The first time I heard Michael Crawford sing live, this cast recording was completely spoiled for me. It is just no substitute for live singing. There is just so much more emotion onstage, especially in MC's final LA performance. It's enough to make you sob your guts out. The OLC is flat and listless in comparison, probably having to do with the fact that this was in a recording studio and not onstage. I still do listen to the OLC, if only for the late, great Steve Barton. He's the only Raoul I've ever heard that actually sounds masculine and protective. His Phantom is equally great.

[IamErik771]

Ann, do you remember which Christine you saw live?

EDIT: And I agree with Eliza that there's no substitute for a live performance. I like how clean the "official" recordings sound, but they don't do MC justice at all. However, I also love Steve Barton's voice. He's probably my favorite Raoul so far.

[phantomphan0804]

For those of you who have only heard the OLC or movie soundtrack, I would highly recomend the Orginal Canadian Recording. I've heard many, many Christines, and Rebecca Caine is still my favorite by far.

[cinty]

Originally posted by phantomphan0804
For those of you who have only heard the OLC or movie soundtrack, I would highly recomend the Orginal Canadian Recording. I've heard many, many Christines, and Rebecca Caine is still my favorite by far.
I agree! Rebecca is my absolute favourite Christine. Her voice is the purest and clearest I have ever heard! :D

[Angel_Of_Music0_G]

I own the Original London cast soundtrack and I listen to it all the time!

[Erik]

My friend Anna is sending me a copy of the OLC soundtrack! Squee! :D

I've never heard of the Original Canadian Recording. I'll definently take a look though!

[operafreak84]

Why is everyone calling it a soundtrack? Why? *shakes head*:(

[Ms Christine Daae]

The OLC has been a part of my life for the last 17 years. MC and SB are amazing and I love them. They ARE Christine&Erik to me. It is how I learned the show, why I love it so much.

One must remember that THIS is what started it all, how it all began...

[LittleLotte**]

Personally, I think Sarah Brightman is a much better singer than Emmy. Emmy's great, don't get me wrong, but Sarah has a voice fit for the stage. Emmy doesn't. I was listening to both CDs, for a while it was Emmy, then I went to Sarah, and then back to Emmy. I didn't like Emmy AT ALL compared to Sarah. Sarah is just very good for the stage.

[TeeJay]

Yes, I agree with you. Sarah Brightman's voice is most definetly fit for the stage. However I really do like Emmy's voice too. It's so pure; and remember she was only 16/17 when she did the recording! She seemed to have done a pretty good job considering her age. (but of course SB is better)

:mask: TeeJay:mask:
www.eriks-phans.tk

[Holy_Aeris]

I got it when i went to see the show at Her Majesty's Theatre. I listen to it regularly, and i love it!

[sunshine]

I love the OLC cast recording, I think by far MC and SB are the one and only true Erik and Christine. They were just made for the part IMO. :D

[Christine Daaé]

Sarah Brightman is ALW's Christine to me. And she always will be. Emmy Rossum and Gerard Butler just don't cut it for me.

I love Michael Crawford, but I probably would have liked his Phantom better if his voice were darker. It's such a bright voice, which is good -- but for the Phantom, a darker color is better, in my opinion.

~ Zelda

[Wandering_Child84]

I love Sarah Brightman's Christine in this recording! I also like Michael Crawford, but some songs leave something to be desired. Sarah doen't disappoint me.

The Canadian cast recording: Rebecca & Colm = amazingness!!!

[AAW0487]

I really want to see and hear the original cast recording! I hear a lot of good things about Sarah and Michael! It's sounds like they've had amazing talent in their characters roles, singing and acting combined! I'm going to try and find the original cast recording soon! It sounds so wonderful!

[phantomfanatic]

I've just bought the OLC cast recording and i've listened to it all the way through 3 times!
Michael Crawford - amazing - that's all I'm going to say because I could right masses and masses on just how much I love Michael in this role. He deserves every bit of praise he got for doing this.

Sarah Brightman has taken a bit of getting used to and i still don't like how she pronounces things sometimes (such as in The Mirror, she goes "ARnter at last master", instead of "enter"). Sometimes I feel she doesn't put enough emotion into her singing (for example, when Carlotta screams "SHE'S THE ONE BEHIND THIS, CHRISTINE DAAE!" and then Sarah sings "How dare you!" and sounds like a mouse in comparison, when she should shout back. However, I can now see that Sarah is WAY better than Emmy Rossum (whose voice wouldn't be strong enough for the stage) and is extremely talented to reach such high notes with so much ease. I now like her as Christine a lot more than I used too.

Carlotta I thought was outstanding. I was just awestruck by the power of her voice. In the Notes scenes, her voice just completely overpowered every one else. My favourite parts of her singing were, "SHE'S THE ONE BEHIND THIS, CHRISTINE DAAE!" and also "IT'S NO USE TRYING TO APPEASE ME, YOUR ONLY TRYING TO PLEASE ME..." Wonderful! I've heard that she won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress for this and rightfully so.

Steve Barton also did a great job as Raoul, his voice represented everything Raoul should be - heroic, dashing, understanding, Christine's rock.

The recording just gave me goosebumps. The 'Phantom of the Opera duet is the best track - so hypnotic and Sarah's vocie is amazing in the cadenza.

I loved the Notes/Prima Donna and the Twisted Every Way tracks, which in the movie i found boring.
The Masquerade scene also sounded a lot more exciting than it was in the movie.

I think I've written enough now! I'll just finish by saying if you don't own this recording, go out and buy it NOW!

[Lord Haw Haw]

Ditto, I love Steve Barton as Raoul, truly a strong and deep voice which should be the role of the hero. As for Emmy Rossum, I prefer her voice over Sarahs, mainly because of her lighter, more childlike sound. Michael Crawford truly sets the bars for the Phantom, having an Angelic voice which suits the story. After all, the phantom had to have a beautiful voice in order to make Christine believe him to be an angel. Gerry's voice sounds too unextrordinary to be a musical genius's and (No offense to gerrik phans, just my thinking) a *******ization of the role.

[The Phantom]

I guess you can call me old fashioned, but I personally enjoy Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman's versions of the songs better than any other. I see them as the founding "fathers" of The Phantom of the Opera, and were the ones to set the pathway for others to come along the way. :nod:

I mean, every Christine has been a brunette because of Sarah. :]

[AngelicRose]

I have the cd and I listen to it a lot. I'm not very fond of SB voice, I really can't understand what she's singing. MC is an excellent singer, but he's not my favorite Phantom. He's in my top 3 though.

Steve Barton was excellent as Raoul! I really loved his voice and acting. I thought he did a great job. It's ashame that he died rather young. RIP.

And I think Rosemary Ashe played Carlotta (I'm pretty sure). She was by far my favorite on the cd. I loved her as Carlotta!!! She did such a good job as the character. :)

[ChristineD]

Originally posted by Professor Plum
I guess you can call me old fashioned, but I personally enjoy Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman's versions of the songs better than any other. I see them as the founding "fathers" of The Phantom of the Opera, and were the ones to set the pathway for others to come along the way. :nod:

I mean, every Christine has been a brunette because of Sarah. :]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. It's hard for me to imagine anyone else in those roles.

[bigdramaqueen15mlh]

I have the OLC CD, and i love it, SB and MC voices beat out emmy and gerrys on most songs, except PONR. MC was great on it,but SB sounded bland. in the movie Emmy and Gerry sounding amazing on that song.