The Point of No Return - Micheal Crawford and Sarah Brightman

[OhItsJustDina]

It's undeniable-- they're both great singers [Brightman and Crawford]. Still, I prefer Rossum's voice because I like her smooth singing better than Brightman's... vibrating voice.

[sogfrog13]

OMG i don't know why my generation are so fond of katy perry ect ect .... i'd prefer this any day!

[Zhilbar]

Man, Brightman's voice is so much richer these days. I just wish I could hear her belt this out sometime post-2004.

[lemonjamz]

Uhhhhhhh I'm getting married to the Phantom because that there was smexiness

[darkakherousia]

The more I listen to this song, the more I fall in love with Crawford. He's just breathtaking. Sarah is brilliant, as always. But MIchael... Gosh.

[mcrclaire]

I'm so excited for the UK tour next year! :D

[jojoey0218]

@mcrclaire what is this? any info?

thanks =p

[aShLeYlUvSrOcK098]

Stop bashing on Sarah Brightman, she is the best Christine ever. >:(

[RedOmen02]

Didn't like this song when I first heard it(it was the more recent movie version), but hearing Sarah Brightman makes me like it so much better... She is amazing! I wonder how there are so many negative comments about her, but I guess it's a matter of taste..

[SCOGANHORSE]

bleh, not a big fan of sarah brightman, her voice sounds so pinched in some parts and like in her throat and nasily. michael is pretty dang good, tho i think butler sings with a little more power plus him and emmy are amazing together.

i saw this musical last night at a local theater and the girl who played christine is a senior in high school and was absolutely stunning and pretty much perfect, never heard anyone better cept emmy

[KisaChan137]

Crawford is as good as ever and even Sarah was really good (although I'm not really that into her voice actually... sometimes it sounds weird...) Great song!

[musicislife748]

Michael Crawford is amazing, but Sarah Brightman (yech). Sounds like Opera Elmo. I don't know, I've never been a fan of her voice, though I like opera.

[bwaybound33]

Breathtakingly gorgeous

[matrixinterface]

This is my favorite song and it's such a good example of why Michael was so good as the phantom. I just love the way he makes his voice soar like at 0:28 and so on. I think that's one of the things about his singing that really makes it so amazing to me. He makes the character so powerful and compelling. There's been lots of good people who have played the role, and played it well, but I always feel that Michael really made the Phantom of the Opera the success that it was.

[Karatiannadiante]

this is the best verson, Sarah Brightman and Micheal Crawford... when will the flames at lat comuse us

[frenzyXprime]

@crazyboutladygaga I agree though with me I saw the film first and thought it was ok, then I HEARD the production and thought it was better, without even seeing it.

[MrRussellVincent]

remember kids, the title is The Phantom of the _______ that's right opera. Christine is supposed to be a ________ that's right, an opera singer. And who wrote the piece (in the operetta) that they are singing? very good, it was the Phantom. So doesn't it stand to reason that they would be singing with an operatic technique? In my opinion, yes. And Crawford sounds a little nasally because he is singing some very high notes for a baritone and he is reaching very high to make them.

[FOOFOOKITTY]

@MrRussellVincent True, I've never heard actual opera singers perform this, or any other piece from this musical. No doubt they could sing with more power. That said, this work IS a musical, not an opera, composed by a man who composes musicals, not operas. Also, Andrew Lloyd Webber has indicated that he created the role of Christine with Sarah Brightman's voice in mind (she was his wife at the time).

[FOOFOOKITTY]

These voices have more power, more passion than any of the others I've heard ... and frankly, Brightman and Crawford just have more gorgeous sound. Never equalled!

[MrRussellVincent]

@FOOFOOKITTY - if you like the power of these voices i would recommend you hear true opera singers sing this duet. I love this cast and I grew up completely in love with this operetta, but since growing up and becoming a fan of opera music these voices, while still beautiful and sung well, do not produce half of the power that a top tier opera singer does. That said, it will always be my favorite broadway production.

[carihigs]

Grrrr. D< Anyone who keeps saying "Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum are the best, OMGGGG!!!!" obviously never saw the show live. Once you do, your opinion on the movie changes completely. 

[nWo315]

@carihigs couldn't agree with you more

[MsDarkrosebud]

personally, i always thought of the phantom as having a sexier,(obviously not his looks,) more gravelly voice, that can at times become sweet and tantalizing. gerard gives the phantom a more insane-but genius- tone. he makes the phantom come to life better than michael. just sayin.

[carleen112233]

I'm sorry, but i think i like Gerald Butler and Emmy Rossum better singing this.... you see, Gerald sounds more like a person who could play the Phantom, plus his voice isn't pitched like Michael's. Emmy doesn't make every note viberate like Sarah does, and she has feeling into it. It isn't strong all the time like Sarah, but she makes every note sound like the Phantom is tormenting her, but she can't refuse. Sarah just makes every note strong, with not that much feeling. Emmy adds feeling.

[Zillafan01]

3 accounts were made by Raoul

[Gutterheart82]

@Zillafan01

Your comment just made my day.

[UlrichTheOmega]

Oh man...does Sarah sing like that for all the songs? In my music class we used to make fun of that kind of singing (oscillating between the notes because you can't hold a steady tone). As for the debate: Crawford is extremely talented musically (to hit those notes so cleanly) but he comes off too nasally for me, coming off as weak. Butler's voice was a bit more baritone, a little rough sounding here and there, but I feel that adds makes his character stronger and voice more passionate.

[SuperSaladEaterz]

I never hear dthe original before seeing the '04 version. Emmy and Gerard, for not being the originals I think did damn well. Especially since Gerard had no classical training at all, and was spur of the moment singer. Sarah, in my opinion which i am entitled to, has a little to much vibrato for my taste, but I think theyre all great.

[Aimingforcute]

People are entitled to their own opinion. Many miss a major point regarding the Phantom's musicality and singing, however. He is always written to have immense musical talents, specifically granted an almost impossibly sweet voice. In the film version, we are given an actor with a more physical take and a weaker voice than would be permissible for the stage. Butler is handsome and interesting, but he's certainly not believable when he sings (to be taken for a singing angel, at least).

[imasurfer2]

@Aimingforcute Michael is good, but does not sound like a man who could commit a murder as the Phantom does in the movie and the play. I think Gerard's powerful voice sets a darker tone throughout the whole movie and actually does provide the right emotion for it. Just saying.

[DreamTheater013]

I love michael. but i prefer movie christine of bright. her voice just doesnt appeal to me..

[Lucypennyk]

Michael Crawford is THE phantom of the opera. He is THE angel of music and nobody could ever match with him.

[TheSLK66]

God, I feel soaked in chills and tears, no wonder Crawford and Brightman are awesome

[Infantcide]

Crawford rules.

[grendle7]

I hate this song!

I get too much eargasm and tears from this song. It's so beautiful that it's heartbreaking. It's certainly my favorite behind "Angel of Music" reprises.

[zelda1fiction1child]

I think Sarah Brightman has a great voice, but she doesn't really reflect that "sweet young opera singer" that's made out for Christine. Emmy Rossum does. :) Gerard Butler is okay... But Michael Crawford...he IS the Phantom. :)

[ZaiaFantasy]

Michael Crawford's voice is what I grew up with. Good stuff.

[ICommentYourLife]

I love this more than the movie version. (:

[Silverspot12]

I think I like Emmy better than Sarah. I like Emmy's sweet voice. It's just my own personal taste. But Michael's definitaly better than Gerard, no question. He IS the Phantom. He's...brilliant.

[hatter90210]

okay, who's the one idiot who disliked this? they will pay!! D:<

[EllethwenEldarwen]

Oh dear! I really love Michael's voice! Gerard is pretty good, but Michael... Perfect, just perfect. like real Angel of Music, what do you think? ^_^

[TeddyChan42]

Sarah's voice doesn't give me the picture of a young opera singer. Her voice is too powerful for the part, and, I agree, overpowers the voice of the Phantom which I feel is meant to be the stronger voice here since he's kind of begging Christine to be with him.

Sarah's voice is incredible, yeah, but just doesn't fit in this song...

Michael however....spot on Phantom business right thar, honey.

Spot. on.

[wearefruitcakes]

I've fallen in LOVE with crawford's voice, but Sarah's voice just...doesn't do it for me.

[zhangshinyi]

for some reason this song reminds me a lot of webber's work from joseph + the amazing technicolor dream coat...

[BeowulfCav]

Sarah's voice overpowers Michael's in the duet, not good. Too much vibrato too.

[NotepadScribbles]

To be honest, I didn't really like Gerard Butler's voice at all. Michael Crawford's on the other hand is just.... Wow.

[simzproductionz]

I'm sorry, all of you who say the movie is better have probable never seen the stage version, or you're just high on gerard butler. The pair in the film were not nearly as good singers as ones performed on stage.

[08dressageGal]

the ONLY version i love. nothing compares to the original cast. Sarah and Michael do this best

[lespaul862]

Makes me think of the final scene after he lets Raoul and Christine go and is left alone, :,(

[05dmkh]

All the songs for this play were crafted to Sarah brightman's magnificent voice...

[musican426]

Well it makes sense and yea u prolly can I think so too lmao

[eijilover18]

can i just say-michael crawford's voice is hot lol

[LadyKylias]

Oh my... Was that first woman shrieking... Carlotta? Oh, dear...

[Schulzman94]

@LadyKylias No, it's Meg. ;)

[DJulianII]

Best duet of all time. Period.

[redon114]

Ann hathaway would have been better as christine

[proudtobeasarahfan]

I am actually obsessed with this song recently. No one can beat Michael and Sarah <3 Although Emmy did do a great job as Christine. I wans't keen on Gerard Butler.

[xxWayoftheSunxx]

@proudtobeasarahfan emmy has a terribly weak voice. she is nothing compared to Sarah Brightman....christine was supposed to be a strong character.

[08dressageGal]

@xxWayoftheSunxx THANK YOU!!!! it definitely shouldn't have been some soft nible character playing Christine. Sarah Brightman is the only one who can ever sing as Christine in my book.

[scrambledpenis]

@proudtobeasarahfan gerard butler was not a good enough singer for the part. but his acting was incredibly good!

[TheBazz1991]

@proudtobeasarahfan I don't get what the problem is with Butler. His voice is a little unusual, but there's a huge differance between that and not being able to sing. Plus I felt he was able to convey much more emotion in his voice than any other Phantom I've heard. Thereby making me feel more sympathetic towards the character.

[G00DF0RYOU]

I'm probably going to get a lot of hate for this, but i think that Sarah Brightman's voice overpowers Michael Crawford's too much, where as if he was acting with Emmy, with her soft but beautiful voice, would sound much more pleasant.

[101pandafreak]

@G00DF0RYOU

im gonna be honest to i really liked the movie better his deep voice with her skeaky voice would be very nice to...i think in the movie there is more emotion.

yet in this they kindove sound like oprea robots :|

there voices dont change emotion like gerald and emmy FOREEVER!

[Vespar8]

@101pandafreak 2 points. 1 - this is a recording done in a studio, and still the worst part of this has more emotion in it than the best part of the movie. 2 you're a moron. The movie spoke half of the singing lines, and senior butler has a vocal range of a mute. I'll tack on number 3 for free... 3 - learn the basics of the English language before you say something stupid.

[Coolboy500aa]

@G00DF0RYOU Christine is supposed to be a strong and indpendent character and the point is not to have the phantom overpower her

[Lunara13]

DAMN Crawford has an amazing voice! I still kinda like Gerard Butler's more, 'cause it's more dark and seductive, but nothing can beat Sarah Brightman

[sologratia1]

Michael Crawford is AMAZING!! He has a spectacular voice. But Sarah Brightman has the weirdest voice I have ever heard.

[DJulianII]

@sologratia1 , you are retarded.

[DJulianII]

@sologratia1 , you are retarded. Wow, you think Sarah Brightman's voice is weird?

[kparrinello]

Stupid fucking Christine, not letting him finish his beautiful sentence.

</3

[KelliLynn1000]

HIS VOICE IS A GIFT FROM ABOVE..his voice is so expressive and holds so many feelings at one time. My favorite singer of all time<3

[SasorisPuppet]

Nothing against the most recent version I recall...  I loved it, but this is what I've heard since I was little.X3

[LOVxxE]

MC is the best phantommm EVER..like an angle voice...i just like go in a trance, its like soothing and perfect....SOOO MUCH BETTER THAN THE 2004 VERSION!!

[LOVxxE]

@LOVxxE angel lol

[yiboo1]

While Crawford has a beautiful voice, it isn't strong enough for me. I just saw an understudy, Paul A. Schaefer, and he was perfect - a powerful baritone!

[TheLeireasterces]

Beautiful song. I like the movie versions better, but I wish that Gerard and Emmy had the range these two did.

[geolog12]

@TheLeireasterces I agree, sometimes I thought Gerard was screaming instead LOL

[Jimmykudokid8410]

what can one say to a true piece or art?

[Malvitia]

I love Sarah Brightman's voice, but she somehow has a weird vibrato here. And Michael is just angelic!

[FlashMan]

I think the reason she has the vibrato here is during this scene she is supposed to be singing prima donna for the Opera the phantom wrote.

[pinkcandygirl]

@Malvina probably she was suppose to sing prima donna that the Phantom wrote for her.

[MyLucho12]

fantastic !!

[FizzGr]

his voice is softer than butler's...he's great...though I think I'll go with the new version...it's stronger...

[deadpalette]

two amazing strong voices right here. gotta love Sarah and Micheal... sorry but emmy has a cute sweet voice and is pretty but not strong and amazing like Sarah brightman. Same for phantom No better than MC

[saint973]

i love that musical interlude bit before michael starts singing again

[ShakespeareHamlet]

I LOVE the 2004 movie version (please don't bad-mouth me), and since I'm going to see the stage production in January, I'm listening to this video. Michael Crawford has a good voice. One can only wonder what would have been had he and Sarah Brightman starred in the movie (as the original plan was; this is discussed in a documentary on the 2-Disc Edition of the 2004 movie).

[Harlequindoll13]

Thank you soo much for this... the only versions I could find were the new chick and Gerard... don't get me wrong.. they're both great.. but nobody will ever create the emotion quite as Sarah and Michael did...

[violinmusicfan]

i totally agree

[Ishada666]

thank you for posting this this is the only recording of this that doesnt have any skips in it and has michael crawford and sarah brightman singing it

[TheChristianFairy]

Michael's voice is so angelic!