Stars Comparison

[needsmoremilk]

Peter Corry was my first Javert (when I was about 11 or 12), and for that reason he'll always be my favourite. :) Besides him, I also adore Norm Lewis (his completely ruthless, thrill-of-the-chase characterisation is pure genius IMO), and Phillip Quast.

[matthewoutland7]

my dad is stephen tewksbury

[MCampbell1996]

1.Philip Quast

2.Hans Peter Janssens

3.Peter Corry

Without a doubt the best i have seen, although i seen Hadley Fraiser in August and he beats all three, for someone so young, he pulled off the part to perfection!!

[tomtompataygutom]

I can't help but wonder how they're gonna mount this solo for the film adaptation. I'm scared for Russell Crowe for taking on such a ginormous task of playing such a richly textured and highly complicated character.

[MsQjoe]

@tomtompataygutom Tell me you are kidding. There is NO WAY Russel Crowe will pull of this character. Christ, this production is doomed if he's been chosen.

[tomtompataygutom]

@MsQjoe

i'm sad to say but they've already confirmed Russell Crowe is playing Javert.

google it. i was surprised myself too.

[shoang1923]

My favorite is Quast, hands down. But he sounds better on the TAC. I think by then he had been able to flesh out his interpretation of Javert a little more, he conveys such a psychological depth. He is the reason why Javert is my favorite character.-3

[slooshywarbles]

I love Christian A Muller and Brad Little's way of singing this. It really brings you into the song

[slooshywarbles]

Anthony Crivello has got pipes but his version doesn't fit his part. He could have been like enjorlas or something

[outland71]

that is my dad go dad non of you probly belive me but it's him gooooo dad

[Detectivefiction]

Is Muller singing in German or Dutch?

[TLKthing3]

@Detectivefiction Definately German ;) But the lyrics in this one can be understood by a lot of non-german speaking dutchmen. Or at least a big part of it.

[Detectivefiction]

Sorry for the typos in my first post! I was trying to say that this is just like those voice-identification comparisons they do on the Met Opera radio broadcast quizzes.

I also must add that I love Terrence Mann's classic rendition. (Is this from the original Broadway cast album?) Maybe his isn't the most interesting interpretation, but it's richly sung.

[Detectivefiction]

This is jut like those voice-comparion things they do on the Metropolitan Opera broadcast intermission quiz.

My favorite here is Philip Quast. Anthony Crivello's variation was quite effective, I think.

I also think "Stars" is the very best song in the show.

[highlander97]

1 Roger Allam

2 Norm Lewis

3 Brad Little

[gavhuds]

The lower octave is far more in keeping with Javert's character

[FraserPUNK]

1.phillip quast

2. Tewksbury

3 brad little

4. anthony crivello

[FraserPUNK]

is it me or does phillip and tewksbury sound sort of similar?

[MitchConnor83]

Philip Quast is definitely the best. 2nd best is Stephen Tewksbury. I always loved ST on tour because he dedicated his performance to the next year's world champion Boston Red Sox in the playbill (before 2004).

[864jayden]

They're all so good! My favorites were Quast and Tewksbury

[scumblejack]

1. Philip Quast

2. Brad Little

3. Anthony Crivello

4. Michael McCarthy

[Daizzey85]

crivello is in everything! he plays phantom in the lasvegas spectacular i think

[MianaKenobi]

Terrence Mann is one of my favorite Javerts, and that was an awful clip of him singing it. :(

[themillenia]

Phil owns. Love him.

[KeldorDAntrell]

Great work. A few too many for me to jump about making a careful comparison but interesting nontheless.

Anthony Crivello's should, strictly speaking, be rated the worst since he fails to adhere to the composer's direction. One has to consider the dramatic tempo of the piece i.e. however good the snippet sounds, does it work in the context of the whole song?

BTW, although Quast *is* superb, his "those" in "& those who fall" is too short, not right at all (in this particular performance).

[GinnyKat1996]

Terrence Mann is by far the best!!!

[naturebeautycare]

Norm Lewis is good, but I think Philip Quast is the best at this song. Stephen Tewksbury is really good, also.

[tragicdeceit]

Philip Quast is the BEST followed by Peter Corry and Norm Lewis

[AaronKav94]

I worked with Peter Corry in a School Edition of Les Mis in Northern Ireland...He is absolutly FANTASTIC as Javert and he is great fun to work with. :)

[BroadwayKeepsMeGoing]

NORM LEWIS SUCKS EWWWW EWWWW WORST JAVERT EVERRR BY FARRR SHUSH!

[KeldorDAntrell]

@BroadwayKeepsMeGoing, Wow, I actually find his voice superb for the role.

[Wickedlymiserables]

Philip Quast and Norm Lewis are my favourites but I love the was Muller sounds so angry and passionate and I think that the higher octave that Crivello adds in is heaven. Out of these clips, Crovello is my favourite but comparing his full performance to Norm Lewis' and Philip Quast's, he isn't as good.

[MrScrototem]

Philip Quast without a doubt, closely followed by Roger Allam. I just love his version.

[BroadwayKeepsMeGoing]

BSM should've made this list. he and Quast are possibly the Javerts EVER!

[kfeve11]

Muller was a bit anrgy! I was actually thinking about this today. I love Norm Lewis's voice but I get stuck between Quast and Allum for my favourite. Probably Quast, simply because he astounded me in the TAC but I may have vaired if I had seen them all live; everything is always better live!

[outland71]

go dad anthony is weird

[cecariah0263]

why is Christian Muller the only foreign language Javert? er ist Deutsch, deshalb ist er der beste

[outland71]

you might not belive me but that is my dad

[AcelNarcisse]

Terrence Mann FTW <3

[bernardofls]

Roger Allam was the best Javert. The original Javert. Amazing!!!

[boobabycluebaby2]

Not gonna lie, Terrance Mann's version makes me shiver. Love it!

[terrancemannlover]

@boobabycluebaby2 thank you. i am now subscribed to your channel.

[Iesepurcell]

I have been true to Phillip Quast saying that he is the best, but the second best isn't even on here...BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL! if you're reading this, check it out now!

on a side note: i am impressed with Anthony Crivello and his unique interpretation to go up to the high F sharp!

[carnagesw]

Michael McCarthy for me is the best Javert ever, what a voice!!!

[terrancemannlover]

TERYY MANN TERRY MANN TERRY MANN TERRENCE FREAKING MANN!!!!!!!

[BonseBalm]

It is just my opinion, but, does anyone else here think that 3/4 (not that you can split 14 into 4 - before anyone says it) of the singers here seem to be doing impressions of each other? A lot of them have that nasally Philip Quast quality to their voice. This is not a criticism, merely an observation - I love this song and character.

[TavataPrime]

All that singers are great singers... buuuuuuut PHILIP QUAST IS THEIR FATHER MUAJAJAJAJAJAJA! =3

[71outland]

thats my dad my name is matthew tewksbury

[freebrainstorms]

hmm Peter Corry isn't too bad actually but I love the whole fact that there is a Javert debate, it really warms my nerdy musical heart.

[AntonStephans]

Why take it down a 3rd??? If they can't sing it they shouldn't be doing it!

[MrOneManShow1992]

i know he isnt in this but Earl Carpenter <3 he is the best Javert ever!

[paulaitchison]

rodger allam is the best actor of the bunch - not a great singer but that doesnt matter - he is one of the greatest living actors

[DefyGraviity]

I've seen Peter Corry perform this live and he does it perfectly :) My favourite part of Les Mis.

[alumnagirl]

Honestly, I think a lot of people like Phillip Quast because he was in the TAC (Tenth Anniversary Concert) and that was where they were first exposed to Les Miz. Terrence Mann is by far a better/stronger Javert, IMHO. I also like Norm Lewis' rendition (he can make Javert seem/sound reallllllyyyyyy evvviiilllllll). Phillip is no higher than 3rd or 4th in my books.

[DalekGorReviews]

The Crivello one is a nice touch really, I tried singing that part up an octave and it does seem to work :D

Earl Carpenter is still my favourite Javert but Norm Lewis did get close to overtaking him at one point, I think Quast is great but even though he is classed as 'the'Javert, he was not the original, Roger Allam was the original but to be honest Javert is Javert and I love all the actors' portrayals :D

[ryvrdrgn15]

Philip Quast was the perfect Javert!

[L1C1T1]

1. earl carpenter

2. michael mccarthy

3. phillip quast (sorry)

[tylermerritt13]

@L1C1T1 no wayy! phillip quast is 100x best times better then carpenter

[L1C1T1]

@tylermerritt13 just my opinion.. i love the colour of his voice ... i think they both fit in that role, but i prefer carpenter...maybe because he was the first javert i saw i love that character, he's really deep

[HappyMadisonDude]

PHILLIP QUAST IS THE ULTIMATE AND GREATEST JAVERT!!! :D

[2Hyp4U]

You can't compare these bad recordings/playbacks. And most of you have never seen all of these guys perform.

The photo is Michael McCarthy... check him out doing Dracula (Within My World)

[Amkii]

They are all stunning. :D <3

[00rabbit7]

Steven Tewksbury is pretty awesome! Anthony Crivello is interesting. Obviously Quast is great.

[omniblas]

Philip Quast #1 Steve Tewksbury #2

[omniblas]

Philip Quast #1 Steve Tewksbury #2

[sdrhead]

Who's the Javert in the picture?

[L1C1T1]

@sdrhead that'S Michael McCarthy

[b0bthekillar]

Roger Allam is the best Javert, unfortunately though, the quality of his recording is no good

[lcovello]

@b0bthekillar Nobody touches Roger Allam...even with the poor recording quality.

[tip726]

philip quast is javert!!! and his best "stars" in my opinion is from the 10th anniversary concert!!!

[Xfactories]

What the hell? How can anyone rate Terrence Mann in this role? The others are singing with rich voices, he's attempting to bark out something stern. Ugh. Top 3 are 1. Quast. 2. Carpenter. 3. Hunt

[GothicVanitySinger]

philip and anthony

[dathanfinch]

I gotta say Norm has one of the best voices on Broadway today, and he's givin' it up here as well. 

[EriksWanderingChild]

Drew Sarich, though he is not on here.

[jbbrasilsuperfan]

Can you post the whole audio of Mike McCarthy? and could you tell me when it was recorded?

[Seabetiger]

Terry Mann is the best hands down

[penfoldificationful]

Of course it's only my (not better than anyone else's) opinion, but this comparison vid - which is a great idea - seems to show that Quast makes it sound so easy to combine power, emotion and diction, whereas many others cannot compete. If only Opera Austalia had let them both sing on the Anniversary recording!

[cbelle94]

Ah. Philip Quast it amazing. I absolutely love him. (: But some of my other favorite would probably be Earl Carpenter, Richard Woodford, and Norm Lewis (though the former two don't seem to be in this comparison). I did kind of like what Anthony Crivello seems to have done with it, too, though. (: Anyway, thanks for putting this together! It was great to listen to!

[Ravenwing1970]

Thanks for putting this comparison together. I hadn't heard of many of these actors, before. Crivello certainly added his own touch. I like what he did with it. I wish I could have seen his full performance.

[thetombier13]

1. Phillip Quast 2. Terence Mann 3. Anthony Crivello. No one else even comes close

[PrincessRyah]

It's a shame the recording of Allam isn't better. Although Quast is my fave, I think Allam has the best tone.

[kaatje151]

Hans Peter is the best !!!!!!

[Tom6093]

Philip Quest !!!!!! Hans isn't far behind.

[ccolimon]

I was hoping to hear Ricky Nelson's version of this song included.

[number1thespian]

My top three in no order are Philip Quast, Michael McCarthy, and Terrence Mann. Although, I was REALLY caught off guard by Anthony Crivello, and really enjoyed it!!

[papiervampire]

I actually really did like Anthony Crivello's one (he makes Javert sound very passionate), but Quast owns all.

[MistressRoulette]

Holy sh*tballs, that is a sexy jump. Normally, it's the low, rich bass-baritone that gets me all a-flutter, but damn -- that left me all tingly.

Love it! Really hoping to see the Vegas show next month. Fingers crossed!

[papiervampire]

:( There is a much better sample of Philip's "Stars" in the 10th Anniversary Les Mis.

[thesilvershining]

Tewksbury's was the best of these particular samples.

Was Crivello being a show-off or what? But I actually kinda liked the change.

[katiemc66]

Whatever. My point is that I like Roger Allam the best.

[TU2F33]

Philip Quast takes this part and makes it his bitch he is the best ever no doubt.......no doubt in my mind.

[papiervampire]

@TU2F33 That comment makes me happy in many ways.

[ssabendstern]

Where did you get all those songs from? Incredible work!!

But for my tast there is no one better than Philip Quast! Maybe not in this (first) version, but check out: [Les Miserables] 10h anniversary - Stars

@katiemc66: You may like Roger Allam and thats fine for you. We all got our own tastes but it´s like in real life: Unfortunately everyone is replaceable. -So check out 10th anniversary and maybe you will change your mind + have a new idol. ;o)

[Hamster3107]

I like peter corry...

[katiemc66]

In my opinion Roger Allam can never be topped, but I guess it's because he's the original Javert and the original London cast is my all time favorite. I just love Roger's deep, intimidating voice. Rrrrr....

[SebastianAntonioShow]

Terrence Mann hit almost every note FLAT!!!

And Philip Quast is plain awesome! :))

[Monkeyballmania]

where did you get roger allam? i have the olc cd, but i fairly sure i don't hear that.

[obamayankee2113]

Best: Quast, John.

Worst: McCarthy, Hernardez, Crivello, all the others. (In order.)

[songbird71795]

Philip Quast...just becasue he's Philip Quast and is made of pure awesomeness

Anthony Crivello is also extremely awesome, and I'm just just saying that because he's also played R.

Norm Lewis (Javert the Merman!) Stephan Tweksberry and Rob Hunt are awesome too.

Personally, I liked the orginal ending better (Even tho I'm not a Allam fan) Its too slashy sounding (leave that to R and Enjy) But thats just me. :)

[lilrowyravenclaw]

Javert the Merman...now I have that image in my head...

[irohsgirl]

I thought this was really fun to be able to hear all these differet people's versions. Philip Quast is still my personal favorite followed by Terrence Mann. I've loved both of them for years. I also liked Stephen Tewksbury pretty well.

I thought what Crivello did was interesting. Never heard it done like that. Work okay though, I thought.

[BALLOONhips09]

Mmm. Roger Allam. So snarky sounding. ;)

[BeauEric]

Phillip Hernadez is my personal favorite. He has the smoothest and most powerful voice with amazing range.

[thecopykidofthestarz]

Dont you just love how How crivello Just turns things to way more beritone or operatic!

[LuciF9]

Philip Quast by a mile. Then Terrence Mann, and then Anthony Crivello.

[fatheranthony4pope]

imho they were all great up until Cornell john - he was almost as terribler singer as the guy who played the phantom in the movie of POTO. and i didnt think much of Terrence Mann either but each to there own I guess

Christian A Muller was amazing but there is no going past Philip Quast!

[KomKai352]

Wow, Thanks for making this. It's really fun to compare all the Javert voices!

[ChiLine]

Phillip Quast!!!!!!!

[PoetessaSpooky]

Quast! No doubt! I don't like Crivello... in my opinion this isn't the right way to sing this song octaving up that line.

[mariosuperlative]

Quast doesn't sound as good as he does on the 10th anniversary edition, but still the best. I can't see why people like Mann.

[janbart89]

Thank you!

I think you are right :)

[anshinmaru1]

Stephen Tewksbury and Terrence Mann are terrific. Thank you for this comparison. Stephen Tewksbury is a fabulous Phantom. I hope he gets to play the lead on Broadway as he is great.

[bighead97]

Absolutely Philip Quast!!! :D

[leomilhouse]

Hey, how did you get so many versions of the song? I only have the three oficial ones. Would you be willing to share yours? Thanks

[janbart89]

Why is Allams part at the end different to the others?

He doesn't sing ' save behind bars, I will never rest...' ?!

[phantomess1870]

Stephen Tewksbury also play a great phantom!!

[thestar13]

I like Allam and Quast but I also like the recording you have of Anthoney Crivello

Is it just me or did Allam mess up the words at the end of his line?

[GojiraMosura]

Allam didn't mess up the words - they were changed at some point after this. They're like this on the London cast recording - the big "This I swear by the stars" ending verse wasn't in it originally.

[Zero3026]

Philpi Quast #1!! and Mann tied with Allam. :)

[applepooo]

Who is the actor playing Javert in the picture? Stephen Tewskbury sounds like Howard McGillin! So does Brad Little. Anthony Crivello and Terrence Mann are the best!

[cdciam09]

I thought Peter Corry, Stephen Tewksbury and Rob Hunt were OK, and I liked Anthony Crivello's upper octave thing, but Philip Quast kicks everyone's butt. (:

[thecopykidofthestarz]

Crivello did! lol

[Ndfootball98]

quast.. then mann a close second

[christinedaae101]

One of the two Philip's or Stephen.

[puddledoo]

Philip Quast, Philip Quast, Philip Quast!

[Tinneke101]

@puddledoo Hans Peter is the best and from Belgium !

[markjsilberman]

Rob Hunt - 1000 times over!

[13HourClock]

Philip Quast is my favorite Javert.

I know he went first, but I didn't know that when I started listening to Les Mis; I listened to the Broadway recording first. But when I heard Philip sing, I just felt that character.

I've read the book and seen the show dozens of times, and I feel that even the way he sings (enunciation and inflection) reflects the rigidity of the character. He's awesome.

[rhcripps]

Actually, Roger Allam went first. Quast is quality but gotta go with Allam since for me he's the original and architypal Javert.

[lightinglewis]

I'm surprised at the similarities in all of the voices but I've seen Philip Quast in this and Evita and he is brilliant so I'd have to say him.

[TheBratKingJareth]

I'm a loyal Terrence Mann fan but that's a bias. They're all excellent in their own way.

[moulinrougechicago]

Roger Allam is my favourite Javert, but I have never known why ahha

[rhcripps]

Definitely agree. Allam played Javert in the original cast and still the best IMO. Shame the quality of the Allam recording here sucks. Interesting comparison though.

[cpjc08]

i love hans peters version

but quast of course is the best here

[nastybutler16]

Philip Quast!

[kaneelkind]

Dude, did you get that Allam copy of an 8-track? lol. He's the best by far in terms of tone and timing (in my opinion). But I did like the octave jump. Thanks for making this...

[phantom51248]

I came into this thinking Mann would be the best, but Stephen has a powerful voice. My vote is for Mr. Stephen Tewksbury.

[kippybrown]

I really like Allam but your recording doesn't do him justice here.

[NJFProd]

In the show, as opposed to the recording, Mann also took the line the octive up.

[althaushexe]

Philip Quast is way the best!

[LotteTBS]

PHILLIP! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!! He DOES kick everyone's ass!!

[HEYJoeSergio]

Phillip Quast!! Kick Ass...He even looks like Javert...

I did however also love Norm Lewis his interpretation was great

[potomusicfan4ever]

Christian A Müller

Anthony Crivello

Terrence Mann

[Fiyero06]

TERRY MANN

[rockinfluff]

Philip Quast is amazing!!!!

[fettuciniandalfredo]

roger allam. always.

[javertim]

Michael McCarthy and Peter Corry basically define Javert for me. I have always loved listening to Roger Allam and Philip Quast, even if neither of them portray the character exactly as I like to see it played. Philip Hernandez was also quite good onstage.

[secretami]

roger, norm, phillip

[minicko88]

Norm Lewis and Philip Quast all the WAY! However, I found it interesting that Anthony Crivello went an octave higher.... Which i thought was worth of a third place medal...

[scotterictang83]

Roger Allam and Phillip Quast by far!

[xandercorp]

My champion and honourable mentions (based on this comparison only, which admittedly does not make for a fair judgement of the entire role):

Philip Quast

Stephen Tewksbury

Norm Lewis

Roger Allam

Pity the recordings are such poor quality.

[ClimateFish]

Roger Allam - The original and Best !

[gretamath]

Terrence Mann all the way!

[graceyfave]

PHILIP QUAST!

[scribblingpen]

I didn't like the Crivello's octave jump at all, I thought it didn't suit the tenor of the song...but that's just my opinion. Absolutely loved Philip Quast! It was a great idea to compare all the voices, but I wish the quality of the recordings had been better.

[ChristophProbst]

Norm Lewis all the way!

[bwahahachick]

Ahh, no one can make me come to tears like Roger Allam can. He'll always be my favorite.

[katiemc66]

Agreed! In my opinion Roger Allam is THE Javert!!

[BTSxLove]

Rob Hunt = <3

saw him live, and he's been my favorite evr since.

[Munkustep]

I lOVE Anthony Crivello!!!

[Improvnewsie35]

The octave jump is fantastic!

[johnvaljean]

Anthony Crivello's octave jump was impressive

[FallOfFingolfin]

What's the source of the Quast?

I have the Manchester soundboard, but it's definitely not that one.

[PHANTOMfan08]

It's from London 1989

[singsongfly]

@PHANTOMfan08 really? it sounds like the TAC one. haha

[Richardtheincredible]

your recordings are so bad it's hard to make a good judgement.

[WildQueenie]

My favorite Javert is tied between Phillip Quast (my recording love) and Robert Hunt (my first Javert). I LOVE the octave jump in Antony's though. I also love Norm Lewis' interpretation in genearl. I don't really dislike many of these though, except, of course Terrence Mann. I hate almost everything he does. Okay, everything he does. Sorry, I mean no offense to all of you fans.

[dramamusicdance]

I grew up with Roger Allam from the orig. London broadway & will always love him.

He and Philip Quast have such great emotion as Javert. Michael McCarthy also.

Stephen Tewsksbury sounds fantastic -great fury and broadway/operatic sound.

The German Mueller evokes tons of Javert emotion in there, also great.

Brad Little has also got a great ring & broadway quality & fierce emotion!

My least favourite is Hans Peter Janssens, too operatic, I don't like the way he shaped some of the words.

[elphie435]

I like Crivello's ending, but my vote will always be Brad Little

[GREENHOUSES]

So hard to chose :-)BUT...

1.Philip Quast

2.Michael McCarthy

3.Roger Allam

4.Terrence Mann

[Manoflamancha7]

Brian Stokes Mitchell IS Javert

[sdrhead]

brian stokes mitchell was javert???? i didn't know that!!!!

[sunrisesunset51]

Manoflamancha7: OMG YES. I love him so much as Javert (as well as otherwise ...) So yes, you have SO MUCH AGREEMENT from me.

This was posted before Stokes played Javert, but I will totally include him in my rankings.

1. Brian Stokes Mitchell

2. Philip Quast

3. Norm Lewis

4. Anthony Crivello

5. Roger Allam

[persilja]

Philip Quast is my only Javert.

[9Asfaloth9]

Philip Quast, Terrence Mann, Stephen Tewksbury are my favorite Javerts. Anthony Crivello also sounded good, I like his variation of "pay the price".

[chriscur08]

i like peter janssens and crivello