Most of them forgot to be creepy. It’s a given, the modern trend is the play is a love story with a flawed genius. The genius being attractive is popular with general audience. The acting part can be put aside to focus on vocal performance.
MICHAEL CRAWFORD IS THE FIRST, THE BEST AND THE GREATEST PHANTOM. His voice was gentle and tender like a ghost, caressing like a real seducer and clear and powerful. Nothing equals the original.
Nobody has answered you. I will. I have and never will forget that evening. I tried like hell to get out of going to see it at the LA Music Center as my wife and I were in the process of separating but no luck as my in-laws, who were patrons, had a long and elaborate formal evening planned for months. For this venue Michael performed with Dale Christian and my seat was directly under where the chandelier settled after coming off the stage. I worried about that. I was absolutely stunned by the flawless professionalism of all the players and crew but the voices of the two were beyond anything I've heard to date in a recording and Michael's voice was much more powerful and far reaching in range, live, than what you hear here. All I knew of Michael Crawford prior to this was that he had minor roles in western movies. Needles to say, I have been a devotee of Michael's music ever since that evening. As an aside, I have mentally been kicking myself in the rear every time I remember almost talking my way out of going to this performance, like now. Happy Thanksgiving-Tim (I see you perform in NYC. You may know Michael Rupert?)
Tim Smith Thanks so much for writing! I got to see him in "The Go-Between" in London recently *TWICE* and can agree with you about the voice. He's much older now, but there was a depth and passion in him that is still palpable, even at his age. He cried both times. Literally cried! That was incredible to see. I can only imagine what that energy and voice would be like to see live in Phantom! I would give anything to have seen him. There aren't any really clear recordings of him doing it live, so I can only imagine. Yes. Michael will always be my most favorite performer and singer. His work and his voice hold a special place in my life! I was a newborn baby when he first took the stage on Broadway. I think my parents saw him, but neither of them remember much!
MC: *flashes a Nelson Eddy charming smile* "Well, Andrew, I think you've got your handsome young nobleman." ALW: "Yes, we hired him last week. We want YOU to be the Phantom!" MC: "What??? You mean, the ugly, old...? ...For over 1,300 performances I donned the mask and the cape." ^^ My favourite story from this performance. :D
Claire Clark I remember watching Michael Crawford in Some Mother’s Do Have Them, and was stunned when the character of Frank showed how wonderful a talent he is as the Phantom
bgmpt Oh, yes, definitely. I know the show as it's one of my favorites. I just believe a more stronger voice would of been better. However, I suppose he did sounds somewhat okay in Music Of The Night, however, any others, in my opinion, needed more power.
Riley Kaye The female heart prefers to be seduced by a soft caressing voice such as Michael uses here, except after the passion builds when he begins more intense. But then I am just a women of 82 who has experienced life so what do I know? So if you want a woman to love you intimately just go shout in her ear and see where that gets you.
Nothing better!! NOTHING. BETTER!!!!! Oh my word, the perfection that is Michael Crawford as the Phantom. I first heard him sing this at 11 years old, on the sound track, and I was smitten, and now 26 years later, the goosebumps are still relentless!! He IS Erik. I love how the right side of his face is shadowed during this performance, reminiscent of the mask.
Crawford set the standard for the phantom - no one who followed could match his performance; his interpretation and presentation was truly spectacular.
I've listened to the original recording so many times that I've accidentally memorized virtually every nuance, and amazingly, he sings it almost as beautifully, purely, emotionally, and chillingly as he did nearly 30 years ago. Very few vocalists can perform night in and night out for years as he did and still sing this well decades later. Bravo!
Michael Crawford's absolutely magnificent performance of "Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera" is only equaled in the history of Broadway by Betty Buckley's equally incredible performance of "Memory" from "Cats"! Simply the two greatest- ever Broadway songs in the history of musical theater!
The first, and still the best Phantom. I have heard a great many gifted and talented performers sing this song, and this role; and as wonderful as they all are, not one of them can touch the original, Michael Crawford. That high note still causes me to hold my breath, and the chills still shake my spine, especially when he sings the next line: "only then can you belong to me". The ethereal beauty, the power, the pain... they are all there, unmistakably, in one magnificent performance. Michael, no one can touch you.
The audience released they had just witnessed something truly extraordinary. A performance they’ll likely never see again. One of the best musical performances of all time.
As Michael has always said....”I am an actor who can sing.” He gave birth to this role. Those who followed, while some wonderful, did not have the connection at the heart that MC gave this role. If anyone has ever had the wonderful chance of meeting him in person you realize this is a man that gives 1000% to everything he does. Genuine, humble and so gracious and giving. Moved to tears when something touches his heart and not afraid to show it. Love everything he has ever done! Phantom, Cornelius Hackle, Frank Spencer, even Dave Finn in ‘Chalk and Cheese’ which his grandmother hated. I miss him.
Many years ago, my sister and I saw Michael, along with Sarah Brightman perform "The Phantom" in Norfolk, VA This was definitely the very best version and the best performance I've ever attended. I saw "The Phantom" much later, same place, and while it was good, it was full of pyrotechnics and the voices were nownere like the very talented originals here. Bravo Michael and Sarah!!!
From a bumbling Frank Spencer to an elegant Phantom, there will never again be an entertainer with such a range. Thank you for blessing us with your talent Michael.
Such genuine interpretation, the phrases are full of meaning, feeling, it’s the character of the Phantom coming through in every word. Bravo Michael. The reaction from the audience is also genuine, they applaud with great enthusiasm, pride and satisfaction.
Seriously, I can't find another who can perform this song as brilliantly. His depth and emotion are unmatched. Nevermind the fact that his performance is so consistent!
Um, I'm not knocking on either Phantom or Lord Webber but, what about Lin-Manuel Miranda and Hamilton? I know Phantom has been running ten times longer than Hamilton, but in my opinion Hamilton is on the same level as Phantom. I wouldn't say that Hamilton pales near Phantom, no they'd just sing together. The historical Alexander Hamilton did sing with his family. ;)
I have heard many others who played the Phantom, but no one can touch the emotion of the character or song as Michael Crawford did. Oh yes, powerful voices have sung it, and if you just prefer that then maybe you prefer another, but never has any other touch my heart and made me cry as Michael does each time I hear and see him sing this song. His rendition, body movements, expressions, everything says "Phantom," he owns this and always will!!
He is the best Phantom. His voice is haunting and almost ghostly. And when he sings this song he sounds so vulnerable rather than most other Phantoms who seem to go towards anger and power rather than that soft ghostly tone that has pain and power behind it. Wish I could've seen him play the Phantom with Sarah Brightman. Her voice was something else !
He is , was, and will always be the best Phantom of the Opera, his range and articulation is amazing. He brought all the songs to life, you could feel the passion, pain, and hope the Phantom had through his voice. Thank you Michael and Sarah for sharing your wonderful talent with the world.
Anyone else feel Crawford understands the song the best? Yes, he has a remarkable voice.. but to me what puts him over the top is that he knows this song is about the Phantom trying to seduce the girl.. It's not just a song.. There's so much love and depression that Crawford's pace captures perfectly. It's unbelievably moving.
I’m a singer myself, love singing and I’ve tried a hundred times now to hold some of those notes on one breathe like he does. It’s impossible, I need two breathes to sustain the note. Love his vocal and performance on this. Truly amazing
Look into breathing exercises. A choir teacher taught us to take a big breath in while pushing out your stomach, to fill your diaphragm, and fill your lungs at the same time . I know you know. Keep working on it if it’s important to you. YOU’LL ACHIEVE your GOAL.. I applaud 👏 👏 👏 you.
@@jeaniehamilton5548 Pianists would also practice every day for several hours for a single performance. Ballet dancers work hard to make it look easy. That's the discipline of the arts and same with the sciences.
I solely understand what you've felt. I am a night time cafe-singer and love this rendition. Attempts of a lot of times I failed, but the whole practice makes me happy even I mess the tune. The tunes' energy itself gives me the strength to carry on my humble music journey.
We can only ponder as to why this individual chose this course of action. Albeit on the internet, I must say that it has been a while since I`ve seen this particular type of behavior. Be it adolescence, containing therein an amusement like in the form of humor, or some other unknown motive. I must confess, in my own youth I sprayed pictures of male genitalia and similar jpeg`s on the walls of de_dust(1 and 2) frequently. So what I`m trying to convey is; in spite of having been an idiot, I still can`t see what Allen Rhymer got out of this.
I agree too. Michael Crawford's voice is unique and memorable. When I was young I saw "the music of the night-1986" record of Michael on TV. I was shocked by the mystery and powerful voice. He is a really wonderful and outstanding phantom.
Phanthom is not about the voice is about the feelings. Need to be hypnotic, tender. Not need a mega-voice-tenor. Need an actor. Well: Michael Crowford. That's all. Many people have better voice than John Lennon, but only one can play "Imagine" like him. That's the question for me.
@@na1959 Is the word you're looking for intonations? Also, I totally agree, he really puts thought into every lyric and still makes it seem natural and not stagey.
Michael Crawford ruined me for Musical Theater. People around me enjoyed the Phantom movies, but I see Gerard Butler or Antonio Banderas play the phantom... I laugh. Crawford's voice is wispy, sultry, powerful, "Phantasmal." Honestly some of the best casting in an original production I've ever seen. 10/10
TristanandIsolt I used to think they were the best. I still like their voices, but John Owen Jones, Hugh Panero, and Micheal Crawford are definitely some of my favorites.
He has amazing control over his voice. I love how smooth and gentle he sounds, especially since this is a lullaby. There's also something so charming and nostalgic about the timbre of his voice. It's just so comforting to listen to.
Hypnotic. Utterly hypnotic. There is a tenderness and wonder in that voice that I havent heard in others, how do you not fall in love with the Phantom after hearing this?
Oh, my.... yes!! If his health and voice allow, wouldn't it be wonderful to reprise the role, just once more, for perhaps a virtual performance... available online, free, for the world?!? Then, release it on DVD, for everyone to finally own a copy of the OG, the first and best of all Phantoms, for themselves? Oh, how wonderful that would be! I mean, if Ted Neely could continue wowing audiences as Jesus in JCS into his 70s, why not Michael Crawford??
After hearing Michael sing this song 30 years ago, I immediately fell in love with him. After seeing this RU-vid video, I've fallen in love with him again. That voice is so haunting -- the perfect phantom!
Arguably the most sensational male opera vocalist of all time! His range, depth, and control are legendary! No other performer of the Phantom of The Opera came anywhere near his passion and power!
If we’re really talking in terms of the greatest male opera singers, Crawford doesn’t even come close. That’s not to say he isn’t special in his own way, though.
This is the benchmark for all those who have taken on the role of the Phantom and so far nobody has left a mark on this version, it will take someone special to equal or surpass this version, absolutely beautiful
@@marcog6056 Yes I am. I love operatic, classical, country, some pop music in the early days, folk, and jazz. I also have the original soundtrack of Phantom of the Opera with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman singing with the rest of the London Cast.
My grandson was not quite eighteen when he played the part of The Phantom and he sure did it justice too. That was in Bendigo Victoria Australia. His name is Mason Hingston.
Yolanda Anne Brown Funny you quoting Highlander. I was just thinking of the lost recording of Freddie Mercury himself singing this....hopefully it does exist...
Its wonderful how the thought about the lighting in this performance. Lights the normal part of the face, and covering the other one with shadows where the mask was supposed to be.
The way he sings "Only then, can you belong to me" it is so truly fragile and vulnerable and tender. I think MC got that side of the phantom better than any other performer ever did.
I don't know how he is able to pull of this song the way he does, it's incredible honestly. I adore his singing, he's able to do whatever he wants with his voice and still be absolutely unique. This is stunning work, stunning.
Not only was he , and still is the best phantom but he also was the best Barnum. So caring when he played the Manchester opera house that he came over every night to sing to the children in the hospital opposite. Lovely man.
I don't care because no matter how many people play the Phantom, there will never be anyone better ot greater than Michael Crawford. When he sings this song, from begining to end you are placed in an hypnotic trance. The Music slowly brings you under his spell. Fantastic!!!!
A legendary comedian and a superlative singer GOD was kind to you Sir Michael and yes i an jealous, if i had a choice i would love to have been able to sing, anyway THANK-YOU, for brightening our short lives.
The BEST! Period dot. Nobody like Michael Crawford as the Phantom. Everyone else is a very, very distant # 2. Every song the benchmark for all others... Go Michael. Now & always... Love your class, style, voice.
Michael Crawford is so very gifted and amazing ❤️.. I've seen him in concert several times and I get goose bumps when I see him .He is the one true phantom..wiw
0808zone gotta agree, though I'm not an expert on the subject. Watching this for the first time, incredible what the guy does with his body, and his MOUTH . . .remembering that he was wearing the half mask and didn't have the rest of his face with which to convey expression. True master work! Watching over and over, such a great job.
0808zone Michael Crawford IS the phantom. It's just a fact of life. It's so funny listening to him sing anything that isn't from PotO because then it just sounds like the Phantom singing random songs.
0808zone I agree that was the best singer, until Ramin came along. Crawford is the best singer to ever play the Phantom, but Ramin captures character of the Phantom better. The sadness, anger and grittiness. Crawford's voice is too angelic.
I was listen to this at work on my computer and one of the kids I work with ask me what is that shit your listening to.... Lets just say they came very close to death! Anyone under 30 has no appreciation of fine music.
I just turned 18, and I've always liked Michael's singing and the play Phantom of the Opera. My grandma passed on alot of her likes down to me, and I'm so glad she did. So let's change that from Anyone under thirty to, "most under thirty." Because yes, I too agree that most young people of my generation lack good taste in music. But there are still some like me who treasure it.
Not especially true! I'm 14 and taking opera singing lessons. I think Michael Crawford is an amazing singer and Phantom Of The Opera is my favorite musical/opera.
It's good to know that young people like your self can see the value in music that can transcend time. I come from a traditional Italian family that has a love for opera music and the Phantom Of The Opera ranks at the top of the list. ^_^
The first time I saw Phantom of the Opera was at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta with him and Sarah Brightman. I was hooked. Bought the cd although the it cost 30.00 dollars. Also matches and a mug that his mask turns white when you add hot liquid. Also have the silent film with Lon Chaney and the 1947 version. Am I a fan?
