The Phantom of the Opera (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
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Free Music Notes for The Phantom of the Opera (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Free Music Review: Beautiful beyond belief
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm a Phan and proud to be one. I've seen the stage-show several times plus I own every recording of POTO available. Why does this recording, despite being lambasted by Michael Crawford fanatics, stand out? Reason 1 is the impeccable orchestra and the improved sound. Plus the tempi of the conductor are way superior. Nr. 2 would be the cast. Fresh and new without any baggage they deliver sincere and intense performances. The lead is sung and acted by Gerard Butler. He is one of the few actors whose private persona disappears when he's on screen, even his appearance changes with every part he plays, unlike other Hollywood-Hunks who always play themselves (Brad Pitt...*Cough* Orlando Bloom...*Cough Cough*) He has had over a year of vocal coaching and training before he tackled the role of the Phantom and it shows. I'm one of those who prefers the Phantom to be sung by a rich voice, like Brad Little, Anthony Warlowe, Peter Karrie and Ethan Freeman and not by tenors like Crawford who sound bloodless at times. (Crawford's "Down once more" couldn't scare a mouse) While not yet perfectly controlled Butler's rich baritone sounds perfect for the Phantom, also his ability to shade and colour phrases, to act with his voice is incredible. One thing I love is his "Christine, I Not spinning a long phrase that merely sounds pretty Butler spins a gorgeous piano and then ends on a firm vocal attack mixed with a sigh of fear until the "you" comes out like a cry for mercy. (Burn, Christine, burn for hurting a precious soul like that) Another detail is the soaring pianissimo on "Touch me! Trust me!". Others sing this as an order, Butler sings it as a gentle plea, absolutely magical. There are MANY more, I just wanted to give you an idea. ;-)
Christine is sung by Emmy Rossum, a great actress in the making. At seventeen she's blessed with the voice of an angel, unlike the matronly sound of Sarah Brightman. Christine is supposed to be a chorus-girl in the beginning. Yes, she blossoms to be a primadonna BUT she's not yet a dramatic soprano d'agilita. I DO believe that if they had waited a year or two her voice would have matured to greater heights (Listen to her and Patrick Wilson on GMA, she improved a great deal!) but she's a wonderful Christine.
Patrick Wilson sings a great Raoul, yet I prefer Steve Barton who's less foppy, acts with less arrogance and selfishness. (Plus he isn't made to look like a girl, poor Patrick, he's a handsome man in real life)
There've been those who dislike it because it isn't the OLC. Oh what a pity that Crawford no longer wants to play the Phantom, come on, if he moved on, so should you! The movie itself is beautiful and different, so I'd suggest to watch both the movie and the stage-show. It's a love-story of endless beauty.
Free Music Review: A Pleasant Surprise...
Hit: 5 Stars
Upon first listening to the recent Phantom of the Opera soundtrack I was immediately absorbed in the distinct new feel singers Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum brought to Andrew Lloyd's musical. This stated, however, does not mean that there weren't a few flaws in the singing or the performance.
Firstly, Gerard Butler's voice initially surprised me, as I was expecting someone with a trained voice, and not to mention one that was much higher as Michael Crawford's was. But his voice is pleasingly unique as it brings a new dimension of sensuality and masculinity to the Phantom that Crawford, at most times, was not able to achieve. Butler's voice is full, deep, and emotional, which made him well suited for Point of No Return (which I believe to be his best performance of all the tracks). We are also able to really feel his anger and hatred in Down Once More, which, in truth, blew me away. Crawford, besides having a wider singing range and giving a rather eerie feel to the Phantom, was not able to achieve an emotional attachment with the audience through his singing which makes Butler's portrayal all the more realistic. I thoroughly enjoyed Butler's performance, and just ask people to be a little more open minded about it.
Emmy Rossum, Christine, is also a great difference when compared to the original, Sarah Brightman. Her voice is not as cultured, hardly surprising as she is still but a teenager, but has a very innocent and young naivete to her which fits the part perfectly. She has potential as a singer, and I actually understood all of what she said, unlike Brightman who at times distorts her words with her singing (which I think is very good by the way). Brightman can reach higher notes with more ease than Rossum, but was at times a little overdone. Rossum's singing tended to lose emotion as it went on, but she practically explodes passion when she sings in mid-range. And because of that I conclude that, again, Point of No Return was superbly preformed by both singers. She was a good choice as she is very pretty and can sing the part (her hair, however, was a tragedy in itself).
Raoul, played by Patrick Wilson (I believe), is a very difficult character to portray. But, I must say that he sings exceptionally well. His acting was rather dry and flat, but good overall for a Raoul(also, there was an uncanny resemblence in the voices of the original Raould and Wilson, maybe it's just me). Minnie Driver, or rather the woman who sang for her, was brilliant. I, however, prefer the woman who sang in the original stage musical (but that is only my preference).
Overall, this soundtrack was a nice change and I commend all the actors for their work. I implore you all to do the right thing and give this soundtrack a chance.
Free Music Review: A Heartwrenchingly Beautiful Love Story With Wonderful Singe
Hit: 5 Stars
"The Phantom of the Opera" has always fascinated me. Webber's music is extraordinarily beautiful, and the lyrics wich tell the story are equally humorous and exceedingly emotional. Although the London cast and Canadian cast are good within there own rights, this new movie cast recording is absolutely wonderful and refreshingly different. I never cared for Michael Crawford's nasally voice quality, and Sarah Brightman, though possessing a beautiful operatic quality to her voice, did not successfully convey the emotions of her character. Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine in the Canadian cast were verry good at conveying emotions, and I would recommend trying that particular recording as well as this motion picture one.
The reason the movie sound track is exceptionally good is the superb performances by the main as well as supporting cast. Gerard Butler has a deep-toned tenor voice which beautifully soars to high notes, and plummets to lower notes when he sings. He also conveys emotions with raw clarity that moves the listener to tears. His rendition of "Music of the Night" gives me goosebumps.
Emmy Rossem is absolutely wonderful! Her voice has a bell-like quality wich is pure and easy to listen to. She also conveys emotion of Christine's character, especially her innocent nature, and then her maturity as she grows to fear yet love the Phantom. "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" is her best vocal illustration, and her thoughts expressed during "We Have All Been Blind" actually succeeds in making me cry. Butler and Rossem's rendition of the seductive "Past the Point of No Return" is one of the best portrayals of this particular song which I have heard. It conveys Christine's awakening to sexual feelings, and conveys her dilemma with the choice she must make. The Phantom's feelings of love and lust are clearly discernible.
Patrick Wilson is superb as Raoul, and is the best portrayer of that character since Barton from the London cast.
The supporting cast is equally great, and provides commic relief. "Notes," and Prima Donna" as well as "El Muto," were rendered in such a way as to make me laugh aloud. The interspersing dialogue on the CD's help me keep track of the story. A quick reference to Miranda Richardson, who was perfect as Madame Giry. It was refreshing to know she finally got to play a relatively normal character. Mini Driver was hysterically hilarious in her role as Carlotta Christine's rival, and the two gentlemen portraying the manager's were good as well.
All in all, this soundtrack is absolutely superb, and one which should at least be given a chance. Although skeptical at first, I loved it, so I highly recommend it. You will be moved to tears. Happy listening!
Free Music Review: He's Here, The Phantom of the Opera
Hit: 5 Stars
I have been waiting for this CD ever since it was announced on playbill.com. The wait was well worth it. I have not yet been able to listen to whole thing, but what I have heard is superb. I was a little unsure of how Patrick Wilson was going to do, because the only other thing I've heard him on is The Full Monty soundtrack and he sounded a little scary on it. On this CD his voice is very soft and soothing. It fits the role like a glove. I wish Minnie Driver actually sang the role of Carlotta. I wonder why they dubbed her voice when in the liner notes it states specifically "Lloyd Webber was adamant that the cast had to be able to sing their OWN roles to a first class standard." She did not sing her own role. That is one problem I have with the CD and so far the only other one I have is WHERE IS THE FULL TITLE SONG?!?!?!?! It's only like half the song. How DARE they shorten the title and most popular song in the show? I know some people say that the most popular song is "Music of the Night," but in my opinion it's the title song. Other than that I have no real problems with the soundtrack. The music is soaring, I love that they have most of the opening scene (Prologue and Hannibal) on the CD. I can't wait to get to the end of the CD and hear Minnie Driver's only performance. Can't wait even more for Dec 22 when the movie comes out. I want tickets NOW but they are not available. Oh well. What are ya gonna do. For anyone of you trying to choose between the CD or the single disc, I would spend the Extra $5 (at least that was difference where I bought it) for the other dics. It has MORE MUSIC, the book of photos are gorgeous plus IT'S PHANTOM!!!!!
I have now listened to whole CD and I am sticking to my guns. True, Gerard Bulter is not the vocal powerhouse that Michael Crawford is, but, in my opinion the Phantom should not sing everything like a cherub. He's not a very nice guy and his voice should reflect that. It shouldn't sound all sweet like M.C. I think it suits the role perfectly. As for Emmy Rossum, true she is only 16 years old, but she sings the role beautifully. I also agree with one other review about the sound quality. It's either really loud or really soft. It makes it quite difficult to listen to when I go to sleep. I either can't hear it or it blasts me and wakes me up. All I can say is Bravo to the cast of the film for having the guts to take a score that is so associated with certain people and put their own spin on it. If you are buying this hoping for a Brightman and Crawford performance then save ytour money. If you are willing to listen to a different approach to a beloved score then you will NOT be disappointed. Enjoy the soundtrack!!!
Free Music Review: Bravo
Hit: 5 Stars
I saw the movie over the weekend and I must say that I loved it. I spent most of my time in high school (10+ years ago) eating, sleeping and breathing musicals; primarily Les Mis, Phantom and Miss Saigon. I have seen the stage production of Phantom 6 times with varying casts. To me, the quintessential vocal performance of the Phantom comes from Colm Wilkinson who performed the role in Toronto for several years. The Toronto cast recording with Rebecca Cain as Christine is far superior to the original with Crawford and Brightman in my opinion. I have never liked Michael Crawford as Phantom and although Sarah Brightman has a lovely voice, she does not embody the character of Christine. She was married to Andrew Lloyd Webber at the time and it was largely a role given to launch her career, which it did. So I have no need to compare the movie performances to the Original Broadway Cast Recording and was able to evaluate them on their own merit. I loved Emmy Rossum as Christine. She is the perfect age and embodiment of innocence and conflict that Christine should be. The premise is that The Phantom has been a presence in her life since the age of 7. She has to be quite a bit younger than Phantom for this to make since. Her voice is lovely and she performs the songs with honesty and without pretention. Gerard Butler is a wonderful actor and truly grasps the inner workings of the character. He is not a clasically trained singer but he performs every aspect of the character with conviction and does pull off the singing. In any event he is a far far better phantom than Michael Crawford and again, sings the part true to character and not to illustrate his vocal talents. Rauol is played wonderfully as well. In some of the performances I have seen, the Phantom is so wonderful that it is easy to dislike Rauol and root against him. This performance is excellent. Raoul is as young and handsome and appealing as he needs to be to leave the audience as conflicted as Christine about whom to choose. He is a talented vocalist and is perfect for the part. Minnie Driver is truly charming as Carlotta. She was not afraid to go for it and be the fool to the drama around her. I really enjoyed her. All in all the film and music were wonderful and I was so pleasantly surprised. It took me back to my obsessive days when the drama and fantasy of this musical were so consuming. Go see it and please embrace these performances without any thought of the stage stars from over a decade ago. Enjoy.