Les Misérables in Concert at the Royal Albert Hall[SOUNDTRACK]

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 5014636100824 Format: Live Label: First Night Records Manufacturer: First Night Records Number Of Discs: 2 Publisher: First Night Records Release Date: 1996-04-29 Studio: First Night Records
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Editorial Reviews: To celebrate 10 years as the world's most popular musical, the cast of Les Misérables threw a phenomenal birthday party at London's Royal Albert Hall in 1995. A decade after Trevor Nunn directed its premiére at the Barbican Centre, and the subsequent move into what has since been a permanent home at the West End Palace Theatre, producer Cameron Macintosh felt the time had come for a little outing for "the miserables". Conductor David Charles Abell, having climbed out of the cluttered Palace pit, for one glorious night has the entire Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at his disposal and there are appearances from over 150 singers--birthday celebs from Les Mis stagings worldwide--who flocked to the grandiose venue. Hosts for the night are the 1995 London cast: Colm Wilkinson's Valjean has power and beauty in "Who am I?" and "Bring Him Home", and chart-topper Michael Ball is a charming Marius. Miss Saigon herself, Lea Salonga, gets the crowd-pleasing favourite "On My Own". The Albert Hall sounds filled to the brim with an appreciative audience who contribute to the festive atmosphere. The result is a real treat for fans and lovers of Boubil and Schönberg's greatest musical--this double CD is an obligatory item in every collection of Les Mis memorabilia. --Yngvil V.G.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: One of the great musicals..... Comment: Anyone who has seen Les Mis knows what a magical spell it throws on you once you have seen it. I was dragged there to watch it, and was spellbound. I was not lucky enough to see the original cast, and this album was a great opportunity to hear them. Although the production could have been better (there is some hasty cut and pasting going on between songs!)the voices shine through. It does, though, lack the emotion of the actual proper musical itself, rather than the artists singing tracks alone. Enjoy, but check out the show...its the real thing! Customer Rating: Summary: Simply Amazing Comment: Let's get the negative side done with, Why was it cut short? It would have been great to experience the whole show in concert, however what I did see I was amazed by. Valjean - I must say Colm Wilkinson was not at his best, however it wasn't a bad performance. Javert - Amazing, 'Stars' was a major highlight of the show. Fantine - Is it just me, or is Ruthie Henshall outstanding! She put so much feeling into it. Little Cosette - It was ok, I can't be too mean, she's only a child, but it wasn't anything to rave about. Thernardier - Hilarious, evil, cunning. 'Master of the House' is usually my favourite Thernardier performance, but on this recording it has to be 'The attack on Rue Plumet' Mme. Thernardier - Go Jenny! Perfect for the part! Gavroche - Great, best one I've heard. Marius - Michael Ball, legend, fantastic performance. Cosette - A let down to this recording. I wasn't impressed. Eponine - Lea Salonga, the star of the show. Much better than whiney Frances Ruffelle! People say Salonga is too bitter, however given the situation Eponine is in, one would be bitter. Eljoras - On top form tonight, well done. You do get a sense of the story on this album, I'm most disappointed that Eponine's part was drastically cut, but still an amazing performance! Customer Rating: Summary: Dream Cast? Yes, but what about sound quality? Comment: I wouldn't go as far as saying that the recording is perfect. The cast is indeed amazing. Fantastic voices and great acting even though standing in the middle of the Royal Albert Halls stage with a microphone in front of you doesn't allow much expression. However the mastering of the recording itself is not up to standard, in terms of levels and the left channel distorts whenever a loud part is performed. Further more because of the short distance between the microphones and performers, low-frequency "pops" are very apparent throughout I would also say that better picture direction would add enormously to the overall quality of the production. Customer Rating: Summary: Quast is magnificent Comment: Having seen the show a number of times, I listened to the CD of the anniversary concert with some anticapation. Would it live up to the hype? I was not disappointed, the anniversary concert was superb. The casting was spot on in my mind with one exception. I found Cosette rather disappointing - too simpering for my taste -perhaps the casting was designed to increase the number of Americans in the cast list to make it more appealing to an American audience. Anthony Crivello was excellent; comic and moving in equal measure, with a camp waspishness that I am sure Hugo would have approved of. My greatest praise is reserved for Philip Quast. The venom with which he sang his part made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Stars is soaring, uplifting and moving and thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. The soundtrack is a must for all Les Mis fans and Philip Quasts preformance alone is worth the price of the CD. Customer Rating: Summary: I love Les Mis !!!! Comment: This recording is special because its a celebration of the acheivemants of one of the worlds greatest musicals (the other being West Side Story). The quality- for a live show is good and Colm Wilkinson as Valjean (though not at his best) Michael Ball as Marius and Judy Kuhn as Cosette are by far the best in these roles (Rebecca Caine is too operatic). My one major problem with this is the Eponine- Ok So I know that everyone Loves Lea Salonga but I personally think her Eponine is way to agressive and her voice far to forced. I want Frances Ruffelle!!! More Reviews