I like this interpretation as a triumph of self realization. You can see his voice has the chops for Opera. Wish more people in U.S. knew his voice as well as acting talent.
Nah. He's got a beautifully trained voice; no dispute. But this is a self-conscious performance. He's there but his heart isn't. Watch Dean Jones perform it with his hurt heart completely in it. It will break your heart and lift you to the rafters.
Give Julian a dramatic song and he becomes a wonderful actor with as much feelings for the lyrics as the composer himself. "Being Alive" is my favorite song by Julian Ovenden.
Ovenden and Esparza sing this because they love the piece and sing it with sincerity. NPH sounds as tho he's singing it for the money.But he's still good, just not as good as the other two. The old Dean Jones version is right up there as well.
Parker Hale Bobby is usually a tenor, he's just a better singer than NPH. But to be honest, this is clearly a classically trained voice. Even before I just Googled to confirm it, you can hear his voice turning. You don't learn that just messing around in front of a mirror with your friends, that is straight up classical training. It's hard to compete with a well-constructed voice.
mijcummi well said! You can even see his phrasing at the end when he went for the big Beinnngg Aliiiiive... he didn't show he needed to go for a gasp of air and just hit those notes and long! I think that was the longest note I have heard so far as compared to the other singers. Julian Ovenden is classically trained and of course, with his years of experience, can add drama as well to his technique. So far the best version of the song by a tenor! I want to see other singers as well who are classically trained to sing this song!
such a beautiful song. My only objection is that this show is supposed to be about typical New Yorkers, the British actors need to SOUND like New Yorkers.
This is simply amazing! Beautiful. You could actually see his exasperation with what the others are telling him and then he slowly comes to this realization that he wants that too. And his movements added to the genuineness as people do not stand still when talking. His voice was wonderful and the performance delightful. The jump at the end I think he was just excited by doing the song for Sondheim himself. Great job Julian!!!
