Bring him home (Les Miserables in Concert -The 25th Anniversary, O2 London, 3 Oct)

[hecate235]

Love the dvd, but seeing this how the audience saw it... probably one of the most haunting, powerful performances I have ever seen. I'd have jumped to my feet, too.

[donnymad22]

Love this can't wait for his cd

[hannafran1991]

seeing Alfie Boe sing this live on the West End was literally the best thing I have ever seen.

[MyBlueSkyReunion]

Amazing

[relhcstirt]

Thank god I was not there. Aload of tripe

[messakg123]

@relhcstirt wha.. bu.. i.... oh nevermind

[MsHiiloveu]

I was there, it blew me away how good he was.....

[SpiritofOnelove]

Wish I could have been there, amazing!

[tedd227]

I always thought, I have seen the best performance of this song by Colm Wilkinson. But this is so incredibly emotional and remarkable. I don´t know what to post anymore. I think both are genius in their way

[PortiaOfBelmont]

I actually like a Valjean of this age. I thought he had great sensitivity and good diction.

[3017able1]

this and phantom of the opera are the two greatest musicals of all time. nothing will ever trump them.this is a magnificent work of genius

[3017able1]

this and phantom of the opera are the two greatest musicals of all time. nothing will ever trump them.

[Larsky1010]

This concert version is more gripping than the performance I saw in London several years ago. Boe has a magnificent voice, with no strain at all on the highest pitches. Great interpretation!

[operaloveable]

he totally stole the show! Amazing control! Beautiful voice!

[froface98]

Good Lord this is a work of art.

[MrChunkify]

This guy had great texture in his voice, but i think that he didn't emphasize the most important words of the song. "Let me die, Let him live" are one of the most stunning parts of the song, but he give up the power for the texture.

[hecate235]

@MrChunkify Think Alfie has a different take on the song. Jean's not haggling with God, no me-for-him, no substitutions, "no bargains or petitions." Jean will do/accept what ever God wants for him, "...my soul belongs to God, I know..." The only thing he's asking for is Marius' life. To paraphrase: "If I'm going to die here, okay, fine. Only, please, save this boy." Alfie sings it as an act of courage, trust and faith. Think that's why, for some of us, Alfie's version just soars.

[IheartZorro]

@MrChunkify You're forgetting something: "IF I DIE, let me die. Let him live." That 'IF' clause changes the whole meaning. Without that IF, it appears Valjean is asking God for a trade of his life for Marius's. With that IF, Valjean is saying that he'll accept his own death IF that is what God has planned anyway, but for God to please save Marius's regardless. Leaving out that IF clause and jumping to the conclusion is a common error among my university math students. I'm hypersensitive to it :)

[Kasino80]

@IheartZorro I like the gesture with the arms at the "if I die" part, it makes him more vulnerable. Although I've noticed it is something he does a lot when he has to hit high notes in songs, but here it actually has a purpose!Alfie all the way!

[IheartZorro]

@Kasino80 Most often the high notes are supposed to express excitement or heightened emotion (think about it, people's voices do tend to rise when excited.) The widespread arms could be partly due to that. I don't know enough about singing to know if it helps align the abdominal muscles to squeeze those high notes out, too. Possibly someone with that training could tell us. 'Cause it's not just Alfie who does that, in my observation.

[hecate235]

@Kasino80 All that power comes from the diaphragm and stomach muscles, not the arms. Usually the higher notes are the emotional points of the song, the arms only a "gesture." In an interview, Alfie said he was thinking about the words, who he was speaking to (God), and communicating (w the audience). He was living the song, in a "bubble" where the audience could see into him. That's why he kind of "woke up" after. Spell-binding performance.

[hecate235]

@Kasino80 Wanted to add, Alfie does use the classic "opera stance": legs slightly apart, one foot a bit forward. If you're at "attention" w feet together, the core muscles are used more to keep the body upright. With the opera stance, it's easier to keep balanced, the body is more relaxed, and more core is free to produce "sound." Alfie will often shift slightly when he's powering up.

[RosieElliott]

ive got this on DVD my grandma is at the end in the pink coat with the original cast :D

[BBBYpsi]

this guy has a amazing voice

[oldgreeeg]

Alfie was just amazing. I can accept the nick nomad comments but he is not an actor or theatre singer. He was just overshadowed by the pro's of which there were many. It's one of my favourite DVDs though and prob always will be

[isabellagonsalves]

i saw this and it brought tears to my eyes.. so beautiful.

[Leysin11]

Me aged 15 singing ' I'd give my life for you'  ..please let me know what you think

[bethbell]

Just discovered Alfie Boe after watching this on DVD- can not believe how good he is- im definately going to go see him- hes plaing JVJ at Queen's this coming June-December!!! I love Les Mis and hes the best ive ever seen!

[gerogialily]

awww love this version. His voice is soooo good :) Im in love with his voice :P Gotta admit im only 14 and getting his cd for bday cant w8 lol. He puts so much emotion into this songs its so cute. He is the best Valjean ever :) xx

[RosesNightengales]

*sighs* I wish they had two recordings. One from the Barbican Tour and one from this concert. I liked both Valjeans, just wish I had Alfe Boe.

[RosesNightengales]

God he made me cry! He was that good.

[Methrt3]

Should have called this the "???????????????" cast. This is too slick. Devoid of any real emotion. That's why the original casts are great. Les Miserables should take a bow people, it's become a cliche. 25 years? Leave us with great memories, not these also ran productions, but i guess money talks.

[Ghostdeadhunterlady]

@Methrt3 I'm sorry, but I'd like to disagree.

This cast was filled with emotion. Other than Nick Jonas, every single actor had the ability to drive me to tears when I watched them perform.

[abbeysingsjazz]

@Ghostdeadhunterlady yes Nick jonas was totally crap and he has a horrible sick voice with no talent what so ever. Jenny galloway was rubbish too. i hate her as madame thenadier. lynne wilmot from the tour is waaaaaaay better

[Ghostdeadhunterlady]

@abbeysingsjazz I would like to disagree with your point on Jenny Galloway. Though I respect your opinion that she was rubbish, I do not share it. I have six different versions of Les Miserables, and I think she is the best Madame Thenardier that I've ever heard. The gentleman who I received five of my six versions from agrees with me on that point.

But I appreciate and acknowledge your opinion all the same.

[limegreenbella]

Amazing voice! AND THOSE EYES!

[Guineapiggy100]

@limegreenbella YES I KNOW! I also love his eyes! When I watched this in the cinema yesterday (Netherlands) I just melted 0:-)

He's such a beautiful glance in his eyes! :3

[mshayakawatakako]

@Guineapiggy100 I totally agree! Alfie has such sweet, gentle and insightful eyes, which I think reflect his unassuming personality. I do melt, too, each time I see him.

[Lissical]

Has he ever been in a West End Les Mis production?? He's amazing!

[worldtraveler5]

@Lissical He was at Queens theatre for three weeks before the O2 concert. It was announced recently that Alfie will be returning to Queens to play Valjean for six months starting in June through early December 2011. No start/End date set as yet.

[Lissical]

@worldtraveler5 That's awesome! I'm glad he's going to be there. :) Wish I could go!

[DarthxErik]

I can't get over this guy's performance. His voice is like butter mixed with gold served on a silver platter with pixie dust sprinkled over the top. Not to mention his eyes!

[ThePitchFinder]

It doesnt happen in this video but after a few more seconds of applause the big screen shows Alfie smiling slightly its was so funny that only made the applause louder.

[worldtraveler5]

@ThePitchFinder Alfie got a very well-deserved (in my admittedly biased opinion :D) standing ovation. It went on for so long he had to break character to acknowledge it.

[th3gr8juan]

@ThePitchFinder I remember that. My wife and I were commenting earlier that no one smiled, and how it would be hard for us to be up there and not at least smirk. Then he gave the only smile of the night, and everyone did get louder. He is amazing.

[coll912]

LIEZ YOU CAN'T BEAT COLLIN W. AT VEL JEAN

[DalekGorReviews]

Best Valjean EVER in my opinion, Ring out the old and bring in the new.

[OperaGirlK]

My god. Speaking as an operatic singer, this man has a truly powerful and beautiful voice.

[willowpillow1234]

Perfection.

[Nandika92]

I love that the applause for this was so long that he actually had to break character to take it! He deserved it :-) It's not often that an audience gives a standing ovation in the middle of a show!

[costerluver]

I think that Alfie Boe is technically a better singer than Colm Wilkinson, but Colm puts so much emotion into his voice and face that he actually seems to become Jean Valjean instead of an opera singer singing Bring Him Home

[Jeffleyton]

A clip of Jefff Leyton the Irish Jean Valjean from the 10th Anniversary singing Bring him home, The Les Miserables open air concert in Highlands park Chelmsford, Thirty two thousand people.

It was never released to the public untill now.

[StCubathegreat]

Truly the most sublime voice. What a remarkable performance.

[chrislef]

me and the friends i went with to the movie theatre applauded all the songs but especially this one and the woman sat in front of us said 'what ya clapping for, they cant hear you?' silly cow

[Monkeyballmania]

I'll be honest, I was there at the O2 and Bring Him Home will never sound normal again without the other 3 Valjeans also singing.

[Transcona1234]

Best part of the evening. We were giving him a standing ovation at the Movie Theatre! He deserved all of the clapping and cheering he got. My new favorite Jean Valjean (Just squeaking past Colm Wilkinson...)

[etrnlygr8tful]

@Transcona1234 ....no doubt he did great, but surpassing Colm, even by a hair is....debate-able. Colm to me was & still is the best JV; then again each of us have our personal preferences as to who portrayed their characters and sung their lines the best, so all is fair, including those who believed Nick Jonas is the best Marius, I don't share it, but opinion is just that.....an opinion. Les Mis fighting, here's to another 25 yrs !!! = )

[cocoapuff993]

@etrnlygr8tful well said:)

no matter what the opinions and arguments,we all can agree on one thing.. Les Mis is one damn phenominal show..... and always will be for years to come.

[charleybrown77]

thanks for uploading! best moment of the night!

[WondersNassiri]

I thought JOJ was playing Valjean in London right now? or is the concert different from the show happening right now?

[kuangchien]

@WondersNassiri JOJ is Valjean of Barbican(Tour) cast, not the original production at Queen's Theatre.

[WondersNassiri]

@kuangchien @kuangchien so there's a tour AND a concert happening in europe right now?

[worldtraveler5]

@WondersNassiri The tour ended its run in London on October 2 at the Barbican. The concert was a special event. Les Miserables is still playing at the Queens theatre in London.

[jamison850]

@WondersNassiri He was touring with the stage production. Alfie Boe was Valjean for the concert version.

[ryguydriscoll123]

Still like the original beter by colm wilkinson. But this performance was in better in some ways! God blessed him with an incredible voice!

[rhodespc]

Excellent!!!

[THHE8]

I was spellbound during this performance, the shivers running down my spine....

[scullen08]

Wow... just wow...

[colinm57]

Simply stunning performance.

[gilly1910]

I fell in love with Alfie Boe as soon as he started singing.....he was amazing!

[dianaben]

Thank you so much for this. Alfie Boe totally blew me away and thoroughly deserved the standing ovation he got for this performance.