BBC Proms 2010 - Sondheim at 80 - Being Alive from Company - Julian Ovenden

[videk2010]

This guy doesn't even look into the emotional complexity behind Robert's character, especially in this song. He has a fairly impressive voice but he's not even trying to act the part, he just has this smug little smile on his face the whole time... this song needs to be PERFORMED, not just sung.

[cpoppins]

One of my favorite performances ever!

[Michaelalujevic]

I've always loved this song...he does an amazing job !!! thanks for posting !

[jb3d]

We saw the Sheffield production with Daniel Evans last night - superb. See it if you can.

[mizylana]

Wow!!!

[paulettefrost]

Amazing! Woke me up!!!

[hannmrfitz]

Going to see Company on Friday - Daniel Evans, who also performed at this event is playing Robert!! It's going to be great! ♥

[blagdon2]

talent,,,,lovely to listen to,,,

[allanm8888]

What's up with his voice. Sounds like he chews tobacco

[9944pdx]

Julian Ovden is fantastic, I would love get the DVD as well!

[EATINGMEAT]

@lamarabbit

Yes I realise that - I just didn't think they added anything to the song on this occasion.

[EATINGMEAT]

Having other "cast" members involved seemed very clunky. Ovenden should have been left to sing on his own.

[lamarabbit]

@EATINGMEAT Mhm?

Thay are a part of this song from the musical named Company

Thay are needed in the name of art.

[JonathanWoodMusic]

fabulous version!! An inspiration to singers like myself. If you have a spare moment then please check out my version!

[LuluRuby1]

Where have I seen this guy before? Oh I know he played Foyle's son in Foyle's War! lol

[myloverisbillmurray]

awsome

[romangirl88]

Cant wait to see Daniel Evans Company. He's putting it on at the end of the year at the Sheffield Crucible.

[ForEverGilda]

I quite agree with most of the comments. Julian Ovenden is a wonderful baritone. Handsome, with a very enticing smile, he has everything one could dream of....I like him very much. You should hear him in OKLAHOMA! too. A few weeks ago I bought two DVDs (BBC Proms 2010, Stephen Sondheim's 80th Birthday and A Tribute to Rodgers & Hammerstein). Highly recommended.

[stringo1990]

@ForEverGilda just out of curiosity, where did you get these dvds? i watched both when they were on telly and i'd love to have the dvds! :)

[ForEverGilda]

@stringo1990

I found both DVDs (Stephen Sondheim's 80th Birthday, A Tribute To Rodgers & Hammerstein) which have not been commercially released quite by chance on iOffer in a very good quality. Choose the seller Christopherf, a very kind person, settled in Amsterdam. The DVDs are still available. Enjoy! Greetings from Switzerland.

[SombreraUK]

Wow, amazing voice.

[elsephen]

Don't really care for this version. The actors/singers coming in with dialogue were just distracting and awkward so it took away, but being accustomed to hearing this song done with passion... this guy just didn't have any.

[bettyboothroyd666]

@elsephen Passion comes in many forms. Feels like he giving it some passion to me.

[Thrant]

@elsephen I think he's just done it 'differently'. With someone like Esparza, you get a lot of feeling and anger and passion from Robert. Ovenden seems to have done it as more of a steady realisation of what Robert really wants, rather than all emotion and 'passion'. Personally, I like them both in different ways ^^

[jasminderpinder]

@Thrant I totally agree. I love both versions immensely for different reasons. Just goes to show that there are so many different 'Roberts' in fictional and in real life, and they are all valid in their own way.

[okhunterboy6667]

This song makes me want to fall in love :)

Bravo Julian Ovenden, Bravo Indeed.

[Elaizzle]

Bravissimo.

[garconfrancais01]

the best version i have heard of this song!

[CHRISNOON3]

Stunning vocal and great inerpretation of a classic musical number. I particularly love the final note. Beautiful!

[mustangsami]

Still no comparison to Raúl Esparza.

[aaaavedon]

@mustangsami What??!! If you mean a beautifully trained vocal instrument on a handsome, intelligent actor cannot compare to a self-absorbed frump blowing a kazoo into swamp water, then I guess so.

[Scalawag720]

I realize they aren't actually performing a musical right now, but the acting in this video is absolutely awful.

[MasterIsh91]

@Scalawag720 They're singers and it's a concert performance.

[PaddySnuffles]

What musical is this from? :)

[Coconoot54]

@PaddySnuffles this is from "Company" by Stephen Sondheim.

[baffledman]

@PaddySnuffles Company

[iliesko]

Fasinating how a tune so simple can be so beautiful and powerful in the same time..it has everything...love,life,passion­,nostalgy,tenderness....

[Morpheuskid78]

Incredible vocals, moving song.... and such emotion, especially at the end of the performance.

[TimmyandDavid]

He is as beautiful as his voice. <3 J.O. Best singer on Proms.

[DancingMalarky]

There is a low quality version of Ovenden's Solioquy here w w w.youtube.com/watch?v=m5dPEcIe­iGg. The sound was quite good though.

[ive8er]

His voice is nothing short of angelic although his facial expression whenever he sings is kinda off-putting.

[adam28xx]

Wonderful. I do hope someone can upload his Carousel "Soliloquy" from the recent Rodgers and Hammerstein Prom too!

[Merkin4pres64]

This is perhaps the best "out of context" performance of the song I've ever seen. Well done, Ovenden. You've done this legendary standard justice.

[horerfandod3]

@Merkin4pres64 what do you mean by out of conte/xt

[Merkin4pres64]

@horerfandod3 By "out-of-context," I mean outside "Company." This song wasn't performed because "Company" was being performed, but because of a celebration to Sondheim. I hope that makes sense. Sorry for the confusion.

[horerfandod3]

@Merkin4pres64 no need to be sorry man. just didnt know what it meant. but know that i know what you mean... YOU ARE SO RIGHT!