Absolutely beautiful version of this song, probably my favourite one. Michael Ball is totally confident in his abilities and utterly inhabits the role of Raoul, while Sarah Brightman is mesmerising as Christine. They are wonderful and I never tire of this.
Damn, reminds me of having a normal, suburban, traditional childhood in the eighties...with both parents at home (a mother and a father) that played great works for me and my siblings to learn what talent really is. I listen to this now, my dad has passed away, but I see him dancing with my mom in the living room. Not a perfect family by any stretch - but precious and fleeting, nonetheless.
I have just listened to the Michael Ball/Sierra Boggess clip and would not want to try and choose one over the other. Possibly this clip nails the harmony a little better but I felt Sierra and Michael sold the emotional side of it more.
I like sierra boggess better. I like her voice, her performance, and the way she acts on stage best. This version is lovely, but whenever I feel sierra is much more enthralling and believable. This version I just couldn't imagine it actually being Christine.
I'm going to see this Opera for the first time at the Pantages, Hollywood,CA. this oct. Shame on me for not seeing this when these magnificent performers were on stage!
It just goes to show that ALW knew what he was doing when he wrote Phantom for Sarah Brightman! And put her opposite Michael Ball, and you have a perfect duet
+Nathanael Spencer Whatever. They're pop singers, these are Theatre performers. At least they're paying homage to the great music and exposing younger people to it.
+tipofmytongue1024 I didn't say Groban was bad or that he wasn't encouraging people to be interested in the arts. I was simply expressing my view that this is better. Get off your high horse and just enjoy the music, yeah?
I like this version better than the Sierra Boggess version. Sarah has a more full bodied voice, more operatic, if you will. I feel that Michael's voice has better control and tone in this one. Both are great.
Michael appears to be 20 years younger too from the Boggess 40 year ALW anniversary version; if that's true he'd obviously have a full-bodied tone & control. Sarah, too has lost that tone & control when she performed with Jackie Evancho a couple of year ago...it's a sign of the times, speaking from 59 years of age. GREAT SONG!
Michael Ball couldn't sing at an average NYC nightclub. Give me a break. How he ever got where he was ...? Sarah belongs in the stratosphere. No comparison.
