Customer Reviews

Highlights From Phantom of the Opera

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

 

 

I bought this for five dollars at Circuit City. Being a huge Phantom fan (I own the OCR, the movie version, the music book, a pin, a mug, I have my movie and theater tickets, and a humongous poster, and a shirt), I was glad to see more voices I could hear for cheap. And I was pleased!

Kira Bronte's voice is what you'd get if you threw Sarah Brightman's and Emmy Rossum's in a blender. Her voice is vibratto without being irritating, and fits the songs' requirements. Michael Heath's is ultra vibratto, such that it makes it a unique rendition of "Phantom of the Opera" and of "Point of No Return" ... and it simply thrives during "Music of the Night" -- which is worth the five dollars to buy this! -- though I can't imagine him being casted, ever, above Michael Crawford, and I don't think he could have beaten out Gerard Butler for the movie role. But for different moods you're in, Heath might fill the resume.

The music is synth-heavy, especially evident during the overture and the title song, and some of the lyrics are a little different, especially during the second verse of "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" ... What is it? Well, you'll have to buy it, won't you? ... And "Finale" is the last three minutes of "Down Once More" from the music box part.

Since the tracklisting is not on Amazon, I'll list it...
Overture/Think of Me/Angel of Music, including "The Mirror"/Phantom of the Opera/Music of the Night/Prima Donna/All I Ask Of You including the reprise/Masquerade/Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again/Point of No Return/Finale ... 11 tracks.

4 stars.
A must have for big phans of the musical!

- 3/12/05

OK, for six bucks this CD was excellent. It met and exceeded my expectations in almost every way, and I recommend it highly to every true phan, though not if you are just getting into the show.

The music leaves a bit to be desired here, as the "Overture" lacks its usual punch due to the overuse of the synthesizer. Some lyrics are changed around, but that just keeps you on your toes. Also, there are some interesting tempo changes/time wobbles in the middle of certain songs that make me cringe even as an amateur kid in jazz band.

Other than that, however, I was deeply impressed. Raoul was appropriately smooth, though a tiny bit more nasal than his counterparts in other versions. Kira Bronte provides a youthful interpretation of Christine, though seems careful not to stray far from Sarah Brightman's definitive precedent.

And Michael Heath...he deserves a paragraph all to himself. After listening to this CD, I am convinced that he is, by far, the best Phantom of all time (not that I don't absolutely love Michael Crawford, Colm, Wilkinson, Hugh Panaro, etc.). His voice is rich and extremely vibratto, adding profound depth to the Phantom, especially in such songs as "Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," and "Point of No Return." His "MOTN" actually brought tears to my eyes, when he hit the first really high note ("...let you spirit start to soar...") right on. Every note is technically perfect (for that song, anyway) and is simmering with emotion. I also love his "Finale" and "PONR" (listen up phans: when the Phantom gets cut off by the mask-pull, he never says "...all I ask of YOU...", but he does in this version - you should buy the CD just in order to hear that!)...

But enough of my simpering about Mr. Heath. While this CD leaves quite a bit to be desired, it is better than any I have ever heard (I just wish there was more on the CD). It is a steal for 6 dollars, and may convert some people like me who thought that either Gerard Butler or Michael Crawford was THE best Phantom of all time...I wonder how old Mr. Heath was, and why he was not cast in the movie (if he was young enough for Mr. Schumacher's taste)...

Thats' how I see this set of "highlights". We go to most $4.99
buffets, we enjoy them but the food is just OK, nothing really exceptional.

This is a studio production that is competent enough but seems to lack flair and enthusiasm. This MASTERS disc has no production information except the listing of the four major singers and the 11 tracks. It could have been made by any small city symphony and ensemble. The balance between orchestra and singers is not allways ideal. There also seems to be a greater use of synthesizers than I remember in original cast recordings, most evident in the overture. I could be wrong! This is no way a substitute for the original cast recordings and I'm sure some of those have flaws too. It is hard to botch up Webber's glorious score so at a bargain price this will do. All your favorite highlights are here. I just want a little more inspiration, thats all.

Well first of all there are more track listings than it says above--- all the highlights of POTO are included. This was my first intro to POTO and let me say it is the best ever! The original isn't even as good! Do not let the price confuse you into thinking it is a cheap bargain-- it is not-- the voices on here are angelic beyond all reason! The characters are exactly what you expect them to be with a powerful touch. It made me cry the first time I heard it!Please-- if you love Erik and Phantom-- BUY THIS!!! You will not regret it at all!

great music, without the loud talk of the complete stage production interfering with the wonderful music, and at a much better price.

This album is a nice highlight album. The singers are not as good as the Original Broadway Cast or the movie soundtrack. If you are a Phantom phanatic as I am and love to hear different versions and some alternate lyrics this is a good buy. You can't beat the price (only 6 dollars). However, if you are just being introduced to the magical world of the Phantom, I would recommend beginning with one of the others.

I noticed that the other reviewer gave this recording five stars and claimed that it was much, much better than the original "Phantom of the Opera". I am sorry to say I strongly disagree. First of all, the sound quality of this recording is rather poor, at least compared to other "Phantom" recordings I have. And the singers are technically much weaker that what I'm used to hear, though I must admit that they are not bad. Kira Bronte is the best on this recording, but Michael Heath is also nice to listen to. I found the "Masquerade" number dull, with a little lack of enthusiasm - and that's no good in this number! "Music of the Night" was decent, but not anything new.... The best number is actually "Point of no return". My advice: Ae you a "phan"? Byu this, no doubt. Want to buy your first or second "Phantom" CD? Well, settle for the Original Cast or Canadian Cast before this one. Those are exceptional high standard. This CD is just O.K.

As a singer, I would like to say that the people on this CD are technically better than the original cast recording, and have Kira Bronte has a much better voice with a nice tone and vibrato, and much more open vowels than Sara Brightman. Also, the Phantom is much less breathy on this CD than on the original cast recording. The singers aren't technically perfect, however, but a few allowances can be made because this is musical theatre and not an actual opera. Overall, I liked this recording much better, but I still own both.

... as a singer, I would like to say that the people on this CD are technically better than the original cast recording, and have Kira Bronte has a much better voice with a nice tone and vibrato, and much more open vowels than Sara Brightman. Also, the Phantom is much less breathy on this CD than on the original cast recording. The singers aren't technically perfect, however, but a few allowances can be made because this is musical theatre and not an actual opera. Overall, I liked this recording much better, but I still own both.