Customer Reviews

Franc D'Ambrosio's Broadway

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I saw Franc for the first time when I was 13 and my parents suprised me one weekend by taking me to see The Phantom of the Opera for the first time in San Fransisco, and I swear my life has never been the same since. Franc was so captivating and soulful in his performance I doubt there was a dry eye in the house---I was awe-stricken. In fact, I was so moved by his perfomance that I dragged my parants back up to SF the very next week to see it again! I was so compelled by the play that I got my hands on any phantom book and music I could find, and the Phantom has been a permanent part of my life ever since. However, I regret that for years I did not think about the man behind the mask---Franc. I had been listening to the origanl London cast album for years because that's the only Phantom recording available, and it didn't even occur to me to look for other recordings Franc might have done until it had been so long that he wasn't playing the role anymore I didn't remember the names of any of the cast members we saw, but after an hour or so of research on the internet I was able to track him down and was thrilled to find out he had just released this album (his debut!) and I bought it without thinking twice. The first half of this album is very lively and fun and you can really hear Franc's energy and charisma, and the second half---all ballads---is stunningly beautiful. Franc sings his heart and lungs out, and his upper register is downright haunting! For anyone who has seen Franc perform, or just loves well-sung show tunes, this CD is a must. The only real draw back to the album is that the first few tracks are medleys so you only get to hear parts of each song instead of the enitre song, but it is still very nicely done and each song leads into the next almost seemlessly. Also, if you are interested in the original SF cast of The Phantom of the Opera, they resently held and recorded a Christmas benifit for AIDS called Crhistmas Center Stage and you can enjoy a variety of Christmas songs peformed by various members of the SF cast! It's a beuatiful CD and very fun to listen to at that time of the year or year-round! Now, one last suggestion: if you like broadway songs, a great companion to Franc's CD is Lisa Vroman's Broadway album (I think it's called Classic Broadway). Lisa played the Phantom's beloved Christine with Franc for years and both of their voices are truly stunning and extremely enjoyable to listen to.

I saw Franc on his concert tour recently and was very impressed. He has sure got some lungs... I like the fact that in person, he sounds just like the recordings on the CD. I have been collecting Broadway Cds for years now and I have quite the collection. The thing that stands out with Franc's CD is the wonderful range of songs. I especially liked the medeleys and the inclusion of some songs that have been my favorites from shows but never seem to be recorded too often. His vocal range is great as well....and an incredible high light voice. His vocal characteristics are reminiscent of Mandy Patinkin, whom I also really like. I will listen to this one for a long time to come.

Last October we met Mr. d'Ambrosio while cruising to New Zealand. He put on a great show and a very personable guy.This D.V.D. brings back some great memories of seeing him perform live.He is very talented in all the ways he can sing.His pianist does a great job also.
Thank You
Rich & Carol

Finally, Franc D'Ambrosio's broadway DVD is available. It just arrived, and was worth the long wait. Years ago, I saw him at the Curran Theater, several times, as the Phantom. Now, on a plain stage, without the mask, he sings it so purely. That and other beautiful broadway favorites--especially, for me, "Bring Him Home." Thanks, Mr. D'Ambrosio. A musician's musician.

At long last you can hear the angelic voice and see the charismatic performer any time you want! I was lucky enough to see his "Broadway" show live last year. As soon as he opened his mouth the audience was hooked. Whether he was singing the up tempo medley of Fosse songs or the heart rending "Prayer" from Les Misarables, the crowd was hanging on every note. At the end they cheered wildly. This DVD captures that -- making you feel like you are there with him live. Love it!

Sit in a comfortable chair, hold a favored beverage and enjoy the most glorious voice one can encounter on a CD. Franc D'Ambrosio has a voice that can only be described as a gift from God. The great sounds and the images of wonderful Broadway performances will fill the room as you enjoy this music. I highly encourage you to purchase this CD or any of his music.

I heard Franc's Lecanto, Florida concert in Jan, 2008. I would recommend both the CD and DVD of Franc D'Ambrosio's Broadway. He made me a fan of Broadway music. I did not like the song Music of the Night until I heard Franc sing it- now I love the song. Since he is the world's longest running Phantom of the Opera, he knows how to intrepret the lyrics so they are spellbinding. I also love the tracks - Almost Like Being in Love, Bring Him Home, and The Immigrant(Speak Softly Love). He played Anthony Corleone in Godfather III and is the original singer of the Godfather theme on the Godfather soundtrack. You will become a fan of Franc's after hearing this CD.

Love Franc as a performer and this video gives some glimpses of the person as well as the performer

When I saw Brian Boitano's Skating Spectacular, Franc who seems to be a friend of Brian's Sang while Brian skated. They said that he had played The Phantom longer than anyone else.

Therefore, I bought this CD. When I started listening to the first songs, I could not believe that Franc had played the Phantom. His voice sounded too young. His version of the song from PIPPIN did not sound as good to me as an American Idol Contestant's had. I thought he might be satirizing Broadway.

When I came to song Number 11, my opinion changed. His songs from then on, were great. I have listened to the HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA hundreds of times. I don't think I could tell his MUSIC OF THE NIGHT from Michael Crawford's.

If you would enjoy a quirky version of Broadway songs mixed with really good ones, get this CD. If you want straight Broadway, try Ron Raines.