Him and Colm wilkinson are hands down the best (and original) phantoms! Even though their styles are different there has been no one since that can even get close to those two!
while there are many wonderful phantoms, the reason why none of them come close to Crawford for me is because they sound too (for lack of a better word) "earthly", whereas Michael sounds unearthly. he sounds like a ghost, his voice is haunting, floating... beautiful.
I saw Phantom in L.A. with Micheal Crawford, then again with Davis Gaines, and also with Robert Guillome (not sure if I spelled that correctly.) Gaines was pretty good, but I hated Guillome. He was so angry and hateful.Micheal Crawford will always be my favorite.
well said :) IMO the reason would be the age of the performers & their understanding of the Phantom - some need to emphasize too much the physical attraction, and don't develop the emotional storm the poor soul goes through - it's more regrets, frustration, and less longing , tenderness. ... Michael does it best - listen to him asking"Sing for me" , powerful, needing, yet attentive to Christine... others are rather demanding, if not ordering, Master-style . lol :->
Not only is Michael Crawford the Greatest Phantom of all time. I had the honor, privilege and pleasure of meeting him at the backstage door after his performance on broadway. He asked me for my pen, he wanted to make sure he signed everything anyone wanted him to sign. He then told me "Cliff, walk with me to my car". He was so kind, presence and generous of self. He spoke to me, with an exuberant high spirit, in the moment, of life, like we were best friends. We talked about what I did, where I lived (working in Atlantic city at the time) dinning pleasures and where the best Cuban Restaurant was in the City? We both agreed it was "Victor's Cafe". Before he got in his car, he turned to me smiling and spiritedly said "Go have the time of your Life at Victor's, I would join you but, I have an early rehearsal with the "New" Phantom tomorrow morning" (He was leaving the show in two weeks for the LA Show). He was simply the most charming, dashing, positive and talented man, I have ever met. Long live the Phantom and the Great...Michael Crawford
I was at the same performance and had the pleasure of meeting him as well. I was about 7 years old at the time, and my aunt had brought me. I thought he was the nicest person in the world, and he signed my playbill, which I still have to this day (I'm 37 now). It's an experience I will never forget. I have been an avid fan of Phantom ever since.
That's Hysterical Michelle, I do remember there was about 12-15 people at the inside backstage door. How did you get back stage? I had a friend who knew the Stage Mgr.
My aunt managed it. She worked for Kellogg's cereal in Chicago at the time, and she got the tickets through them. So she brought me, because I had a love for musicals even at that age.
Most expected and appreciated to see the praises of Michael Crawford at the top of the list. I would have put a post about him being the greatest phantom of all time, but I see there is no need to state the obvious. ;)
+MrKhatMan It sounds like higher mix or lower head voice rather than falsetto. It doesn't have that soft airy sound that falsetto does, but soft sustained standard tenor color.
K Webster It's his passagio which is part of the mix voice. Crawford and Sarah Brightman were actually trained by the same teach which is why he can hold it that long. He was the teacher's best male student, and was picked to be the main production phantom after Sarah introduced him to Andrew. A lot of the long notes he does with his mix/passagio notes are just belted.
K Webster Actually the hardest part of singing that note isn't the pitch or the length (it's not that high for a tenor and the length of manageable) but holding the pitch and having faith in your own tuning across a whole lot of completely dissonant sounding chords before it finally resolves. It's so easy to waver and find yourself harmonising with the new chord.
woodland59 Webber had read the original story before he began writing the music. He made it more of a classical musical when Steve Harley wasn't coming up to par and he happened to hear Michael singing when he was taking Sarah to a voice lesson.
Evan Woodham There will be more. The pop crap is great for a generation or two, but it’s too topical, and bound up in the generation that it came from. Phantom’s classical nature means it will be remembered. It’s timeless.
strawbootie i'm beyond jealous i wish i was old enough to have seen it with the cast i've always loved. i was 7 :( i envy her. i would be beyond happy if there was a dvd od the original cast. i would pay
+Erlynn Dela Cruz I'll be overjoyed if there is a DVD recording of the Original London Cast! I love all the cast members in it, especially Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford, their voices were flawless! I really do hope they surprise us next year, since it'll be 30th anniversary for this musical!
Winged Titan Abridged/ Productions I hope that happens! :D There are bluray remasters of even black and white films so this shouldn't be a problem, just whether Andrew Lloyd Webber intends to or not.
Michael Crawford has this tone that I find so unique. It's both strong and soft at the same time. Hard to explain. Definitely has one of the best ranges I've heard as well.
The intense gaze and ghostly movements that so many people take issue with are precisely why I like it. It's very accurate to Leroux, but more than that, it shows the effect the Phantom is having on Christine beyond the usual fear that most actresses choose to portray. Sarah almost acts like she's possessed by a ghost. With her, you don't need to be told that the Phantom is inside Christine's mind; You already know it just by looking at it.
Her soprano voice is amaaaaazing and his tenor voice is like no other. Have seen the Phantom several times. They are all excellent but there is a quality here that cannot be matched, maybe because it is not overdone, it is just pure singing with passion from the soul.
+emily schwellenbach Michael loved the character, I think that was why he was so amazing. I found the Phantom to be the true hero of this story at the end - finally getting what he wanted, he let her go. Because her happiness meant more than his own. I think even Christine realised no one would love her like he did. A true act of self sacrifice, born of love.
A lot of people criticize women and their voices for no reason other than they are women. I've heard similar comments about other great female artists, but never against male artists.
I've been watching all the main Phantom actors, and the only one that truly gives me goosebumps and makes me completely forget I'm watching a stage performance is Michael Crawford's. He doesn't just put himself in the shoes of the Phantom. He understands his soul. Crawford IS the phantom in every single respect. Electrifying and haunting at the same time.
Michael Crawford and Ramin Karimloo are the two best IMO. Michael played the Phantom as he was written to be, mysterious and creepy. Ramin took a romantic take on the Phantom. Michael even used a mysterious voice when singing while Ramin showed the power in his voice. Love them both the most, but my favorite all around Phantom of all time has to be Michael.
USFanLovesMinHo I’ve only known the Ramin Karimloo as the phantom but watching this makes me wish I knew of Michael Crawford before. just by watching this, I fully see crawford’s phantom as mysterious and creepy
You nailed the differences in the approach between Crawford and Ramin. Ramin's alternative approach really worked because of the connection with Sierra Boggess. Michael Crawford really understood the concept of singing as acting and acting as singing. Well-expressed. His experience as a comedian translated well into his physical movements.
@@bawoman I totally agree. I love Ramin Karimloo as Erik/the Phantom because he is unhinged and aggressive, and it shows how terrifying he really would be in real life. But there were times he was far too violent with Christine-he almost chokes her in the final lair scene. I love Michael Crawford as Erik/the Phantom because he takes a much more subtle, nuanced approach that blends romance with mystery and menance. A prime example is Music of the Night-Ramin sings it forcefully and aggressively and passionately while Michael takes a gentle, tender approach with an underlying sense of meance. That being said, the version that Ramin did for his album is a sweet, tender approach and I far prefer it to the Music of the Night he sings at the Royal Albert Hall.
That’s one of the reasons Crawford and Brightman were so good in these roles. Their voices aren’t just good; they have a very unusual quality, a kind of “strangeness.”
I think Crawford actually really brings the character to life. Many of the other phantoms I've seen seem to be great vocalists with big voices but lack in making the character seem real. When I watch Michael Crawford perform, it's like you get a glimpse into the phantoms past. You really start to feel where his character is coming from. It can be mesmerizing to watch when you really let yourself get into the performance.
My granny took me to see this when I was 10. I had no idea who Michael Crawford was at the time, but now looking back I feel hugely privileged to have seen him perform this live. Amazing
Not only does Michael sing it so beautifully and emotionally, but his genius is seen in the way he truly felt this character. Look at his movements...not over-the-top, but rather slow, deliberate, haunting and sensual. He really understood the character he helped to create.
Michael Crawford is the greatest, bar NONE!! His voice is soft, persuasive and ghostlike, crooning the song like a lullaby, then bursts forth with breathtaking power. No one else has his emotional nuance. Ramin Karimloo, for example, had no grasp of the character. He screamed, heaved, and panted his way through the entire musical like a raving madman, EVEN this song! Couldn't stand it. "Passion" and "intensity" don't always have to be loud and obvious. This rather passive audience of 1990 didn't realize that they were watching the best Phantom the world would ever see. Today Crawford receives a standing ovation just for walking onto a stage!
No one was or could be, better than Michael Crawford as the Phantom. His theatricality, his use of pathos, the longing he displayed, his styling and singing...no one has been better, and no one will be.
2:12 - Michael Crawford - that last tone through all the changes in key, the breath control, the beauty of his voice - haunting, in a way like an oboe in tone, such feeling . . .
Yuya Sakaki alot of people actually prefers Karimloo, at first I thought yes (w/out listening to other phantoms) bc his voice was so good! But then I listened to this orginal version with crawford, Karimloo I think has better vocals but the character of this man's voice & his acting aswell won me. 😮
On this 25th anniversary show last Sunday, When Crawford made his appearance onstage at the end of the show, he got thunderous applause from the audience, and a standing ovation. Ramin Karimloo took his hand and bowed to him and sang "you alone can make our song take flight". A wonderful moment for the original Phantom.
...also love it when MC runs his hands through his hair, then down his body, and slithers over to her as she is hitting the high E. Great piece of business -- also cements the character. He is just superb.
He's an absolutely incredible talent - there is just nothing this man can not do. You just have to watch him in Barnum (phenomenal performance - a true tour de force) to have your mind boggled. He can make you laugh and cry within the span of a few minutes - that's rare and it's the sign of a brilliant actor. It's available on DVD, so for any Michael Crawford fan, it's a must. More relevant to this clip, how sexy is it when he runs his hands over his hair and down his body?
Superstars of musical theatre have a fragility in their voice. A tenderness. That's how they sell emotion. And it makes every performance original and memorable. It annoys me when people criticize vocals. This is how its supposed to sound! Elite, Elite vocalists rarely make it. As they can't sell the song or the moment. Their vocals are robotic and predictable. Michael was cast because of the occasional frailty and innocence in his voice. Not in spite of it.
Wow! Perfectly said, CJ Mooney!!!! I realize could have just "thumbs-upped" this comment, but I love it so much. And as if to perfectly illustrate your point, as I sit here applauding your comment, Andrea Bocelli just appeared on my tv on Late Night with Seth Myers, singing -no lie-Music of The Night, and it is full of beauty, yet devoid of any emotion or feeling. What a crazy coincidence!!!
What makes Michael different is that he is not acting a part. His heart and soul is in every movement and word. Some actors just play the mysterious "phantom", but Michael simply plays a man who wants to be loved for himself. @4:53 if you look into his eyes and his left side of his face you see a normal man, you see genuine feeling and truth. There will never be another one who feels Erik such as Michael.
Michael Crawford is always going to be the phantom, his voice is amazing, it evokes such passion. Both of them , just beautiful strong amazing voices. Sarah & Michael
So true, and did you know that Michael didn't even audition for the role. ALW and Sara over heard him singing and when he left ALW asked who he was. He turned to Sara and said, I think we found our Phantom. Michael said when he was offered to be in the show he was hoping for the handsome Raul part but ended getting the ugly guy, LOL. He then said now he is glad that he did. I love that story.
Sarah was fresh and young when she starred as Christine and Micheal Crawford as the Phantom What a combination that sold out every performance every night.
Every so often I go on a "binge" of watching Phantom bootlegs and although I enjoy them, I always come back to Michael! His voice has such a fluid, angelic, haunting quality that I think many Phantoms lack. The Phantom has a powerful voice, certainly, but he also needs an elegance and otherworldliness, which I prefer over this aggressive baritone shouting I see from a number of Phantoms.
I really love Ramin's powerful and touching Phantom, but Michael is simply amazing, he acts and sings like an unearthly creature. A strange angel of music as the Phantom is supposed to be.
I think Michael Crawford is a lot more believable as the Phantom. Every time I see him and Sarah perform it's mesmerizing. As far as the Phantom goes, no one moves around that stage with as much grace and passion as Michael Crawford, and his voice for me is the easiest to listen to, and again so much passion. The intrigue he adds to the role is the transition from Frank Spencer to the Phantom, I mean WOW! Nuff said.
Amazing Phantom. Not just the singing. He moves like a phantom. I was floating with him, and just very sensuous all around. So glad that I saw him live in this production.
One of the greatest performances in musical theater. They are magnificent and Michael Crawford is spell binding as the Phantom. Had I been Christine, I would have surrendered completely to the Phantom and the music of the night.
I’m late on comments for this video. Must be said however. Saw Phantom in Los Angeles in 90’. Myself and my wife who was in third trimester. Front row two seats or so left of center. Entire program started and ended 20 ft from us. Absolutely fabulous presentation. Michael Crawford...when he started to sing people would gasp. He filled the Ahmanson Theater with his voice. He brought magic and sensuality to the role of the Phantom. One of the great times of my life.
His depth, range and clinical precision manifest in the most beautiful and enchanting way. I've never been so memorised and in awe of a musical performance. If I could listen to just one thing for the rest of my life, it would be this piece. Michael Crawford, my new favourite artist of all time.
I had the pleasure of watching the original Broadway cast on the last night of previews at the Majestic, from the sixth row! OMG. I had never seen anything like Phantom on stage up to that point. When Michael Crawford sings "look at your face in the mirror, I am there inside" and he walks out of the mirror, I was hooked. And then Michael sings "Music of the Night". And then Steve Barton and Sarah sing "All I Ask of You" and then Michael sings the lament before cutting the chandelier free. And that was just the first act. Singularly the best (or second best) night in the theater I ever experienced. That I had an absolutely beautiful friend with me to enjoy the evening was apropos. What could conceivably be better? Watching the original Broadway cast of Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center Opera House, from the sixth row, before they went to Broadway. Colm Wilkinson was ROBBED of a Tony Award. Frances Rufelle, what a beautiful, talented woman you are. And Judy Kuhn! And Judy Kuhn!
Michael Crawford has remained what I listen and look for in a phantom performance. I will always wish I could sound like him. Saw this when I was 17 in Toronto.
He is and always will be the phantom as Sarah will always will be Christine seen it at the beginning and have watched it many times nothing can surpass that
I was lucky enough to see these two in Phantom, and also to see Michael Crawford in a "Best of Andrew Lloyd Weber" performance. To me these two will always be Phantom and Christine. Hard to replace that once it's in your memory. :)
This is my greatest misery in life...that I never got to see this. It will haunt me for EVER! :( I'm truly jealous of you! And you are correct, these two are the ONLY!
Ms. Brightman might not have the prettiest voice, but she was the muse with the range to create a character that thousands of women would emulate for over 26 years, 8 shows a week, and over 11,500 performances worldwide. So, hate on that.
I actually think she had the best and most characteristically correct voice for Christine.... A young, innocent and bright timbre, the only thing is that she didn't really have the look of Christine in my opinion. She's too sophisticated looking, whereas the Christine I imagined looked more childish, like Emmy Rossum.
These musicals are always specifically composed to match and bring out the strengths of the original cast, so the chance of anyone being better than the original cast in any musical is very low.
She has one of the most stunning voices out there, in my opinion. She has such an incredible vocal range and her voice has this almost unearthly feel to it. Have you ever heard any of her other stuff? I highly suggest checking out her rendition of Scarborough Fair. When Andrew Lloyd Webber was working on the musical, he wrote all of Christine’s parts specifically for Sarah Brightman to perform, as well. She’s been my inspiration since I was probably about 4 years old, and I would pay some seriously good money to see her live.
People who say that Michael Crawford sounds awful simply don't know quality when they hear it. I pity you, really. Gerard Butler was ok, Ramin better then Gerard but Michael is THE phantom forever.
Best Phantom voice E-V-E-R, his range is amazing, he is able to duet Brightman's voice without getting lost in her grandeur, there is NO ONE better for Brightman.
I actually was able to meet him very recently. Such a kind man, and someone who really loved speaking to his fans! such an unforgettable experience. I asked him about whether he would return to the role one last time, and swear to go, his words “Never say never” :)
