I will admit, I did like his voice better in Les Mis. I personally like Michael Crawford as the Phantom. But it is nice to listen to someone who is not Gerard Butler (movie version of Phantom) or Michael Crawford in the Phantom's voice.
@yamirose see, I love Michael Crawford but Colm's voice is so moving and beautiful. You can feel every emotion in his voice. He's one of the few actors who can completely captivate you with that first pitch. He's perfect in every character he portrays.
oh i do love Colm's voice! it's very moving... and this is the biggest reason Broadway/musical theater is most always better than music my peers listen to today...
This man is the pinnacle of performance in regards to original Broadway Casts. As the phantom, or Jean Valjean, no individual can match his power, touch, and interpretation of these roles. A living legend, and a man who has put his mark on the world, he shall be remembered as one of the greatest performers of all time.
Does anyone ever listen to the lyrics of these songs? What we have here is a legitimately insane man of indeterminate age, who is trying to seduce a girl who is probably under 20. Creepy.
That said, I enjoy this song. and I really like Colm Wilkinson, although I think I like Philip Quast better.
He truly caught the song....a masterful rendition of both the most dangerous and promising a singer could ever sing. Youtube is filled with failed versions, only a few give you goosebumps, and its no coincidence that tehse men were chosen to play in the official musical.
Although like most young peeps I got to know the phantom through Gerry and I respect his performance, especially considering the lack of singing experience, Wilkinson, Crawford, and Jones took this song and made it their own.
You really hear his classical trained voice at the high notes! They are so precise and full not as flat as many get at certain parts! I prefer Alexander Goebel though he was the Phantom in Vienna/Austria I saw him when I was 4 and again with 5 and I know many recordings but the german original recording from 1986 has the best cast, the best orchestra and the best conductor, in my humble opinion! But ALW said about this recording: "that's how it's supposed to sound" I think that speaks for itself
@TheBohemianSpirit You're right. He doesn't go flat. Instead, he went sharp on both of the Ab s. Less on the second one than the first one. And on the last note.
I'm a 37 year-old English singer living in Galway, Ireland. I'm working hard on my singing and would very much appreciate any honest critical feedback from real Phantom fans on my version of Music of the Night here on Youtube to help me improve. (Just type my name.) It was recorded a while ago now, and every singer must think they can do better later on, but there it is. Thank you very much for any feedback offered. Andrew Hawcroft. (A devout Artist Against Autotune)
@MoozieQ What's wrong listening to rock? I love rock, metal and i love musical too. What's the big deal? Justin Beiber and the Jonas Brothers aren't music. They're just shit :-)
@MoozieQ Me too :) When people ask what kind of music I listen to I tell them Musicals/Broadway. Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cirque du Soleil and (composed) movie soundtracks of the Hans Zimmer kind.
They usually scoff and shrug me off and continue listening to their Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Beyonce and Kanye West and everything autotuned.
Personally, I feel sorry for anyone who feels they can only listen to the current "trend" music not because they feel it, but because it's what everyone else is doing.
@BusinessDog2000 Don't be so quick to write off contemporary music. All music was at some point the "current trend", even the classics. You're just as guilty as the people who only listen to what's popular if you avoid it just because it's popular.
@guitarheadforlife No no I wasn't having a dig at the actual music today. I was having a dig at the people who listen to it only -because- it is the "in" thing to listen to regardless if they actually like it or not.
@MoozieQ I love his voice. I'm with you all the way, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera are exquisite. Currently I'm reading ALL 1,400 pages of Les Miserables. Yikes.
@blackdonkykong1989 Clearly you know nothing about music. Mr. Butler, while an excellent actor, has no singing experience or talent. Colm Wilkinson is an AMAZING talent, as is any ALW Phantom other than Butler. He was, to be quite frank, a very bad mistake in casting, at least vocally. At least Wilkinson can sing the song near-flawlessly (if not completely) without the vast amounts of autotuning Butler needed to be even half decent.
@SmileYoureLovely lol your funnny! Gerald may have no singing experience but he does have talent. i don't know music? you don't cause even ALW said Gerald was what he was always looking for in the phantoms character so you should learn the facts first buddy ^^ this guy sounds like Dracula HAHA
@blackdonkykong1989 As a person who's been a Phantom fan for many years, I think I may "know the facts" a bit better than you. Yes, ALW said he wanted someone with a rock-and-roll feel, but even then he could've cast a rock singer with talent. GB is just not a good singer, point-blank. As to the fact that I apparently don't know music...I spend all my time with singers and musicians and am one myself, so I like to think I know a few things about music. Just saying.
@charitybetta i don't even like Garard as an actor but he was the best phantom. Of course someone who has been singing all there life is gonna b a good sing but someone with no vocal training picked by ALW over tons of ppl has to have some kind of voice. this guy is trying to tell ppl that he was no talent and trying he spend time with singers and music musicians that don't mean nothing! he is not ALW ^__^
I like Michael Crawford's version and this version too. I find Colm's version more tender, more vulnerable. I find Michael's more seductive. I chose to play Anthony Warlow's version to my now fiancee first because he is always so in control of his singing and that's what I wanted to express.
@gingervitus01 - it's a fairly common misconception, but this is actually not opera at all. It's a musical, and fairly pop-heavy at that. Sometimes I think people also refer to it as rock opera - but still very different from real opera.
I love Colm Wilkinson...his voice emits such a rich and enchanting tone to this piece, that I cannot help but get chills down my spine when I hear the notes ring through my ears. All the phantoms have done well, but this is my personal favourite!
My opinion on which is better, Colm or Michael: I think they're both fantastic, but in completely different ways. Michael has a much lighter voice, like starlight, which is great for romance and heartbreak. Colm, however, has a deeper voice, which is utterly fantastic for intense scenes of passion & anger. Both represent different sides of the Phantom with their voices, & both are great. I'll stick to my fav POTO singer in the meantime: the guy Charles Dance lipsang to in the 1990 mini-series.
Anyone who thinks Gerard Butler makes a better Phantom than Colm Wilkinson needs a brain scan to check for a tumor pressing on the cognitive processing center of the brain............
Anyone who thinks Gerard Butler makes a better Phantom than Colm Wilkinson needs a brain scan to check for a tumor pressing on the cognitive processing center of the brain............
Personally, there are five actors that play Phantom/Erik the best: 1. Michael Crawford 2. Gerald Bulter 3. Colm Wilkinson 4. Ramin Karimloo 5. Howard McGillin. Ironically, I have the same name as Phantom, Erik (Except it's spelled out as Eric instead of Erik). Other than that, :D
forget all the long words like before,, just come to me..listen as we do,and you alone can let my soul take flight.........then come to me as i finish my song deep where you find me. and have it match your heart.. you alone can always
silently a hushed whisper i am back again here,comfortable and thankfully my candles remained, slowly gently, they are all lit again. I love you so much and cannot be without you,I know it was wrong what was done in 9 mo,, i asked for forgiveness and i cooed to you,even now, i want you to coo to me.You have done wonderfully in my eyes,yet still within my darkness was not me that acted as you said but the dark of the music is who and why i love you. Can i get you back to the music of my nite..
I Absolutely Love, Love, Love.... the entire soundtrack...
:)
Enjoyed watching the north American Phantom of the Opera tour with Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine the theater was so... Beautiful and every set for the show was even so much more amazing....
:)
No one can bring every emotion in the lyrics like both Colm and Rebecca did
Only wish both would go back on tour together in a Phantom of the Opera tour
I honestly do not like this Phantom. His voice isn't bad, but I just don't like how choppy he sounds here. It's like he takes a new breath for each syllable.
Beautiful, but Have you heard "La fanciulla del West" by G. Puccini? Please listen to the first act, during the duo between Minnie and Dick Johnson, exactly when he is saying " ... ho provato una gioia strana, una nuova pace che ridire non so!" (I felt a strange joy, a new peace that I can't describe). Puccini wrote this in 1910. Anyway, this is a beautiful song, and I love it. Sorry for the mistakes
Colm is great but he needs to stick to Les Miserables. His voices and style just isn't phantom. he comes off to me like a phantom about to start a revolution like he did in les miserables. great but not phantom.
@musicalphantom2010 Well that's not his fault. I know it's hard to listen to a singer without considering their background, but if you can do it, you'll appreciate all of Colm's roles better.
@melancholyManitee The movie was very close to the stage show. I saw it in NY when Chris Groenendal sp? was playing the Phantom (prior to Robert Gillome sp?)...while not as good as Michael Crawford, still awesome! Starlight Express was an absolutely awesome show as well...saw it in London!
@RevD90 the movie was pathetic compare to the broadway show. come on,, very close? the phantom's deformity in the movie only look like he has zits problem. in the play, it's a pretty horrific deformity. it's completely night and day between the two.
@melancholyManitee the talent in the movie is miles away from the incredible talent on the Broadway stage. The Phantom's voice (Tim Martin Gleason) when I saw it was so beautiful that it made me cry.
@dreamgirlz96 agree! The Phantom movie was not a only the biggest joke I've seen but it's also the biggest disappointment. And they have that minny person in it! Why? She's freaking ugly! Don't know how the hell she made it into hollywood. thx matt damon!
I'm sorry. I have to say I'm not impressed with Colm at all. I was happy to get to listen to someone besides Michael and Gerard for once, but wow. This guy's voice grates on me. Why does he halt so between each breath? Is it an acquired taste?
I think I enjoy Colm's Phantom more than any other because he's in that perfect middle between Michael Crawford's Higher Pitched Creepy-Echoing-voice Phantom, and Gerry Butler's Darker-Pitched Rock-Style. Not that any of these styles really appear much on Broadway any more.
colm... wow.. what a talent... there will never be another singer on the west end with the talent colm wilkinson had at his disposal.. he truly was the maestro..
him and crawford are probable 2 of the best voices out there..... i so wish i could of heard them..... i think that rebecca cain was the best cristine (spell?) though
love it and he was Ramin Karimloo inspiration to start theatre and now Ramin playing the phantom in the sequel of phantom and Colm is one of my favourite phantoms!
Colm has a great voice. He's great as the Phantom in this song. However....I first heard Colm as Jean Valjean, so he will forever be JVJ in my mind. He also sounds too old to be the Phantom.
Plus, I've grown up listening to Michael Crawford as the Phantom. He was the one who made me fall in love with the show. He was my Phantom, just like Colm is my Valjean and Philip Quast is my Javert.
Well with out Michael Ramin wouldn't of ever sung this because the play would of flopped because most Phantom's they have had since then have been utter failures.
to saying that the newer phantoms are failures, I have to admit that I like most of the newer phantoms and i think the performances are still strong but Les Mis... just no one has been able to compare to the orignals
yeah thats fair enough really there are some good ones, I cant remember if it was hugh panora or not but one phantom did actually sound like an operatic tenor
No no the ones listed are the ones I like, thank you for reminding me of Hugh I knew I was missing one. and I am not sure if it was him or Gary Mauer sp
Michael Crawford is the whole package as the Phantom and even though I respect both Michael and Colm as performers Phantom changed tremendously when Michael entered the picture and his the interpretation most people have based there performance on. Plus how can people talk about Michaels acting or passion in the role when they never saw him or watched his live videos. He didn't win a ton of awards for giving a crappy performance. Respect Michael as well as Colm.
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...maybe I won't bothering listening, buying or supporting him in anything anymore. By the way I have seen both men live in different shows and read up on them to some degree. Also the man that you just took a cheap shot at, Michael Crawford, just went to visit a bunch of very sick children and there parents at the Sick Childrens Trust in England which he has been president of since 1987. These are kids dieing from cancer that MC reached out to. Sounds to me like MC is a first class guy period!
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Colm Wilkinson is the poor mans Michael Crawford "neybordayfid". Michael Crawford is the greatest voice of are generation, both technically and emotively. Why do you have to be so nasty and negative towards Michael? what has he done to you? You don't have to like his talent but to say that about any artist is demeaning to them and there fans. The sad thing is I like both guys in different roles and respect them. If Colms fans are going to be such jerks and ugly towards other artist then...
oh for gods sakes you are the biggest hippocrit on the frigging planet, the only reason your bad mothing colm is because someone said that hes better than Michael, yes they were rude but so are you, you do this all the time and I've tolerated it but now im sick of it either learn to deal with other peoples opinions and follow your own advice about "respecting the artist" or get the hell off of youtube
I agree. Everyone has preferences. Crawford has a great voice there's no doubt but some people prefer Colm's voice as the Phantom and so on. You want to talk about respect "colinmcphan" maybe you should start by showing some yourself.
Why so silent, I can't disagree with you more. Michael is a high pitch tenor, Colm a low one, much more powerful. In my opinion Colm is the best there ever was when it comes to Phantoms. So much passion and emotion in the way he sings. He doesn't focus just on the notes but the acting part of a musical. I hope I make sense, I just think he brings the whole package.
I love Colm, I love Les Mis, but let me say something about Michael. Even though Colm was the original Phantom before Michael, Michael took over the roll and has inspired everybody as the Phantom and made it magical. I think we can reconize that Michael is still the Phantom of the opera, But Colm is still one of the greatest Phantoms of all time.
@dethe8ter WRONG. Colm Wilkinson collaborated with Webber at a Sydmonton Workshop and helped him create the Phantom in 1985, a year before Michael was even approached for the role.
@matt92091 I know nothing of that so I cannot agree or disagree but in my person opinion Michael was the best Phantom right wrong or indifferent its my opinion
@StephenFryIsAdorable I sadly saw the vid recently I am so glad he changed lyrics and costumes and actors it was horrible to me and if u want to get that tech Michael was the third it went Colm,Steve, than Michael but over all Michael is the best I have ever heard and nothing is going to change that.
Wilkinsons voice is very .... there isn't word to describe just how GOOD it is for the phantom. Every time I listen to someone else play the phantom, their voices are way too high compared to his. He IS the phantom!
how dare anyone even compare colm and gerard butler. butlers version on the film is like fucking kareoke. the film is the biggest bag of turd i have ever seen, the musical is brilliant!!! actors cannot do this musical!!!!! you have to be musical theatre!!!
colm wilkisnons voice is so amazing in this song, and all of the phantoms songs.and wilkinson is better than butler. listen to how he controls the notes he sings and how long he can hold them. its awesome
I had the canadian cast of POTO on my ipod for literally 2 years-
And I just recognized like 2 days ago that it's Colm Wilkinson as phantom! I have the 10th Anniversary Les Miserables CD on my ipod as well and it's amazing that I never made the connection! I had to use this to confirm it was him- It is! xD I had a stupid moment.
My mom and dad got the CD for me when they went to see POTO in Toronto ten years ago- I'm jealous they got to see him!
Agreed. Colm was the best recorded Phantom (Canadian Cast Recording)... his deep husky, moany, and romantic style totally sounds like a Phantom...dark, spooky, dungenony, and masculine. And he kicks in the gusty power chest notes exactly where you would expect it. Michael Crawford sounded too contemporary, too thin, too bright. After owning the Canadian CD first, when I bought the UK Cast later, Crawford simply sounded like a "magical wizard" to me.
You may prefer The Music of The Night performed by " Chyi Yu ". You tube her and listen to her interpretation of this song. I think her rendition is beautiful. Another listener from you tube heard her sing and was stunned.
Gerard Butler's got the looks but when it comes to singing, and such a great opera song as Music of the Night, Colm Wilkinson is amazing. Gerard Butler's not bad. He's frikin handsome though :)
Wilkinson's Phantom cannot be compared to that of Gerard's Phantom because of the mediums they performed for. Butler didn't sing night after night live on stage for years because he's a film actor. With film, scenes can be done over and over and the audio can be drastically altered.
A live performance of Phantom is 10x more energetic and demanding than a film production's ever could.
(P.S. I'm not a fan of either of their voices, but I have more respect for Wilkinson because of his stamina.)
I think Gerard Butler is GORGEOUS! And i like his acting in the film, but the film itself does not beat the stage version by far. I Like Colm Wilkinson, but this doesn't do it for me =/ i prefer him as Jean Valjean
I also heard Colm at the Pantages Theater way back when. He does indeed hold notes forever, with seemingly no effort...while dangling precariously from ropes above stage...and his voice in person has so many more dimensions than even this recording captures. I remember being enthralled at the production. Colm is forever my Phantom!
I definitely like Colm's voice better than MC's. I just prefer the richer sound, which is how I imagined the Phantom's voice should be. That, and I like the emotion Colm put in this song.
However, they both did an amazing job with this part, judging by their singing alone, which is all I'm able to get my hands on.
he did a great job on this but "the phantom" is MC. in my opinion MC just gives so much more power but i dont want to take away from colm, maybe im just biased :)
I've neve seen either them acting the part of phantom, so I can't say if that's true or not, haha. I can only judge them on their singing, and then ultimately which voice I personally prefer.
It's also quite possible I've been ruined by the movie, which was the first phantom related thing I heard. xD
I saw Colm in Toronto - never saw MC - so I am a bit biased. However, I just can't listen to MC. He is a phenomenal singer, but when I listen to his Phantom recordings I hear thin vowels. I absolutely love the darker tones in Colm's voice. Best. Phantom. Ever.
Jean Valjean writes the music of the night...? His soft high notes just remind me of bring him home again, but I reckon he kicks crawford's butt. Crawford has to yell to get his high notes; no technique at all, but Colm has so much control, it's amazing.
I think both guys have a good voice, but Colm brings the pitiful side of the Phantom into this song. Read the book. This is the predominant emotion the Phantom portrays. I grew up listening to M.C., but Colm is, in my opinion, absolutely amazing. Much better than M.C.
However, I think MC does better on songs like Phantom of the Opera and Point of No Return. The Phantom has a cruel side and MC brings that into his music.
I've seen the show with him and it was amazing absolutly stunning !!! I still listen to my soundtrack!! ALL the time! I went to see it at the Phantages Theater Toronto!
At the very end of the song, he holds the note for 23 or 24 seconds. That is incredibly hard to do. I've seen people who've been singing all their lives barely able to hold a note half as long without wavering somewhat. Mr. Wilkinson was supposed to perform in Winnipeg as the Phantom some time ago. Unfortunately, he fell i
I will admit, I did like his voice better in Les Mis. I personally like Michael Crawford as the Phantom. But it is nice to listen to someone who is not Gerard Butler (movie version of Phantom) or Michael Crawford in the Phantom's voice.
yamirose 4 days ago
@yamirose see, I love Michael Crawford but Colm's voice is so moving and beautiful. You can feel every emotion in his voice. He's one of the few actors who can completely captivate you with that first pitch. He's perfect in every character he portrays.
ninanate16 4 days ago
wow i had never heard of him untill i started listening to jekyll and hyde but he is AMAZING
swimgirl2713 1 week ago
oh i do love Colm's voice! it's very moving... and this is the biggest reason Broadway/musical theater is most always better than music my peers listen to today...
moonlightshadow1122 2 weeks ago
The best Phantom ever!
jandjlaf 4 weeks ago
I love all of the Phantoms, but Colm is my favorite stage Phantom by far. His voice is charming, mysterious, and seductive.
NancyThompsonOfElmSt 1 month ago
Just saw Earl Carpenter as The Phantom a few nights ago, he was amazing but Colm is the best Phantom I have heard.
artshopwill 1 month ago
TWO FOUR SIX OOOOOO ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
cbrme97 1 month ago 2
This man is the pinnacle of performance in regards to original Broadway Casts. As the phantom, or Jean Valjean, no individual can match his power, touch, and interpretation of these roles. A living legend, and a man who has put his mark on the world, he shall be remembered as one of the greatest performers of all time.
MrAedhros 2 months ago 3
Does anyone ever listen to the lyrics of these songs? What we have here is a legitimately insane man of indeterminate age, who is trying to seduce a girl who is probably under 20. Creepy.
That said, I enjoy this song. and I really like Colm Wilkinson, although I think I like Philip Quast better.
osikocean 3 months ago
bring him home...
GloriaHuang1101 3 months ago
i agree with the uploader i keep expecting him to say "bring him home
recapdrake 3 months ago
He truly caught the song....a masterful rendition of both the most dangerous and promising a singer could ever sing. Youtube is filled with failed versions, only a few give you goosebumps, and its no coincidence that tehse men were chosen to play in the official musical.
Although like most young peeps I got to know the phantom through Gerry and I respect his performance, especially considering the lack of singing experience, Wilkinson, Crawford, and Jones took this song and made it their own.
vanaver 3 months ago
cool. Pls post the phantom theme song.
oldjude1987 3 months ago
I saw this wonderful man in concert :)
Sleaslug 4 months ago
Add "Jesus Christ Superstar" to your list as well. watch?v=4omWMMibRuE
estyt 5 months ago
Is it wrong that when I listen to this I imagine Jean Valjean wearing a mask?
DenisesRotties1 6 months ago
I love this! Colm Wilkinson is a blessed singer with a beautiful voice.
GhostPlanetFilms 6 months ago
As much of a fan as I am of Colm Wilkinson as Jean Val Jean. His musical phrasing in Phantom leaves something to be desired.
blessedbaritone 7 months ago
You really hear his classical trained voice at the high notes! They are so precise and full not as flat as many get at certain parts! I prefer Alexander Goebel though he was the Phantom in Vienna/Austria I saw him when I was 4 and again with 5 and I know many recordings but the german original recording from 1986 has the best cast, the best orchestra and the best conductor, in my humble opinion! But ALW said about this recording: "that's how it's supposed to sound" I think that speaks for itself
TheBohemianSpirit 7 months ago
@TheBohemianSpirit You're right. He doesn't go flat. Instead, he went sharp on both of the Ab s. Less on the second one than the first one. And on the last note.
musiclover8642 6 months ago
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I'm a 37 year-old English singer living in Galway, Ireland. I'm working hard on my singing and would very much appreciate any honest critical feedback from real Phantom fans on my version of Music of the Night here on Youtube to help me improve. (Just type my name.) It was recorded a while ago now, and every singer must think they can do better later on, but there it is. Thank you very much for any feedback offered. Andrew Hawcroft. (A devout Artist Against Autotune)
GodzookySnr 7 months ago
Actors play more than one role in their career; I think it's time to accept that fact.
Giovanni222 7 months ago
Other 16 year old girls listen to rock, pop, and hip-hop. They are in love with Justin Beiber and the Jonas Brothers.
Me? I listen to Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll and Hyde, and the Scarlet Pimpernel. I'm in love with Colm Wilkenson's voice.
MoozieQ 8 months ago 66
@MoozieQ What's wrong listening to rock? I love rock, metal and i love musical too. What's the big deal? Justin Beiber and the Jonas Brothers aren't music. They're just shit :-)
Lestatthedog 7 months ago
@MoozieQ Haha, same here, only I'm 13, and rather than Jekyll and Hyde and The Scarlet Pimpernel, it's Wicked and classic Disney.
And I'm more in love with Alfie than Colm.
heeminhyman 7 months ago
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@MoozieQ you should spell it properly lol!
PaperMateMan 5 months ago
@MoozieQ Me too :) When people ask what kind of music I listen to I tell them Musicals/Broadway. Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cirque du Soleil and (composed) movie soundtracks of the Hans Zimmer kind.
They usually scoff and shrug me off and continue listening to their Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Beyonce and Kanye West and everything autotuned.
Personally, I feel sorry for anyone who feels they can only listen to the current "trend" music not because they feel it, but because it's what everyone else is doing.
BusinessDog2000 4 months ago
@BusinessDog2000 Don't be so quick to write off contemporary music. All music was at some point the "current trend", even the classics. You're just as guilty as the people who only listen to what's popular if you avoid it just because it's popular.
guitarheadforlife 2 months ago
@guitarheadforlife No no I wasn't having a dig at the actual music today. I was having a dig at the people who listen to it only -because- it is the "in" thing to listen to regardless if they actually like it or not.
BusinessDog2000 2 months ago
@MoozieQ I love his voice. I'm with you all the way, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera are exquisite. Currently I'm reading ALL 1,400 pages of Les Miserables. Yikes.
Emkorora 3 weeks ago
@Emkorora that is some dedication! reading that book is on my bucket list... so is meeting colm...
easterbunny13 2 weeks ago
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MoozieQ 8 months ago
An exquisite example of a haunting melody, preformed with a passion inexperienced in most!
mine713jocelyn 8 months ago
I have to confess, I don't care much for Micheal Crawford, his voice has always sounded a bit wispy to me. But this version is lovely.
maxumms 8 months ago
Gerald Butler sings a way better version of music of the night!!!
blackdonkykong1989 9 months ago
@blackdonkykong1989 Clearly you know nothing about music. Mr. Butler, while an excellent actor, has no singing experience or talent. Colm Wilkinson is an AMAZING talent, as is any ALW Phantom other than Butler. He was, to be quite frank, a very bad mistake in casting, at least vocally. At least Wilkinson can sing the song near-flawlessly (if not completely) without the vast amounts of autotuning Butler needed to be even half decent.
SmileYoureLovely 8 months ago
@SmileYoureLovely lol your funnny! Gerald may have no singing experience but he does have talent. i don't know music? you don't cause even ALW said Gerald was what he was always looking for in the phantoms character so you should learn the facts first buddy ^^ this guy sounds like Dracula HAHA
blackdonkykong1989 5 months ago
@blackdonkykong1989 As a person who's been a Phantom fan for many years, I think I may "know the facts" a bit better than you. Yes, ALW said he wanted someone with a rock-and-roll feel, but even then he could've cast a rock singer with talent. GB is just not a good singer, point-blank. As to the fact that I apparently don't know music...I spend all my time with singers and musicians and am one myself, so I like to think I know a few things about music. Just saying.
SmileYoureLovely 5 months ago 2
@SmileYoureLovely A good singer and having a good voice are different things.
charitybetta 4 months ago
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SmileYoureLovely 5 months ago
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SmileYoureLovely 5 months ago
@blackdonkykong1989 *you're *Gerard *Phantom's
Gelertsrock 5 months ago
@blackdonkykong1989 But Gerald, even though I must confess he is my favorite, is helped by computers.
charitybetta 4 months ago
@charitybetta i don't even like Garard as an actor but he was the best phantom. Of course someone who has been singing all there life is gonna b a good sing but someone with no vocal training picked by ALW over tons of ppl has to have some kind of voice. this guy is trying to tell ppl that he was no talent and trying he spend time with singers and music musicians that don't mean nothing! he is not ALW ^__^
blackdonkykong1989 4 months ago
I seriously get chills every time I hear Colm Wilkenson sing. I loved in both phantom and les mis!!!
jdwyer92 9 months ago
I like
amalia1749 9 months ago in playlist Classical & Opera Music
I like Michael Crawford's version and this version too. I find Colm's version more tender, more vulnerable. I find Michael's more seductive. I chose to play Anthony Warlow's version to my now fiancee first because he is always so in control of his singing and that's what I wanted to express.
lloy0076 9 months ago
I wonder what Jean would do if he came across phantom who had just lost his Christine... (If it was Javert of no doubt he would arrest P...)
jennydai170 10 months ago
@jennydai170
Valjean? He'd probably do something really nice for Erik. Like, hug him and offer to give him a better life, or something.
CoralBR98 8 months ago
Colm is great but lacks the sinister that Michael brings to it.
wseabuck 11 months ago
Good gracious me. Colm can sing this song to me any day. And every day. And more than that. And I'd be in heaven.
KelilaBennet 1 year ago
He and Ramin Karimloo are my very favorite Phantoms :)
wittymama88 1 year ago
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Concertchoir76 1 year ago
Colm Wilkinson has such a unique voice that he can do everything with it.
yamifannetje 1 year ago
I liked it at first, but as it went along it sounded like he was trying to talk while throwing up!
Dirschbag 1 year ago
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415423591 1 year ago
@gingervitus01 - it's a fairly common misconception, but this is actually not opera at all. It's a musical, and fairly pop-heavy at that. Sometimes I think people also refer to it as rock opera - but still very different from real opera.
415423591 1 year ago
this is what it would sound like if dracula sang it
fearmeforiamgod1 1 year ago
I love Colm Wilkinson...his voice emits such a rich and enchanting tone to this piece, that I cannot help but get chills down my spine when I hear the notes ring through my ears. All the phantoms have done well, but this is my personal favourite!
gingervitus01 1 year ago 14
My opinion on which is better, Colm or Michael: I think they're both fantastic, but in completely different ways. Michael has a much lighter voice, like starlight, which is great for romance and heartbreak. Colm, however, has a deeper voice, which is utterly fantastic for intense scenes of passion & anger. Both represent different sides of the Phantom with their voices, & both are great. I'll stick to my fav POTO singer in the meantime: the guy Charles Dance lipsang to in the 1990 mini-series.
LePhantomessa 1 year ago
Anyone who thinks Gerard Butler makes a better Phantom than Colm Wilkinson needs a brain scan to check for a tumor pressing on the cognitive processing center of the brain............
Colm Wilkinson is brilliant!!!
Kylie819 1 year ago 4
Anyone who thinks Gerard Butler makes a better Phantom than Colm Wilkinson needs a brain scan to check for a tumor pressing on the cognitive processing center of the brain............
Colm Wilkinson is brilliant!!!
Kylie819 1 year ago
@Kylie819 ...or that Butler can sing at all, for that matter...
theblacksister 1 year ago
@Kylie819 This is true and I 100% agree with you, but you have to give Butler some credit considering he has no background what so ever in Opera :)
gingervitus01 1 year ago
Personally, there are five actors that play Phantom/Erik the best: 1. Michael Crawford 2. Gerald Bulter 3. Colm Wilkinson 4. Ramin Karimloo 5. Howard McGillin. Ironically, I have the same name as Phantom, Erik (Except it's spelled out as Eric instead of Erik). Other than that, :D
chubbins543 1 year ago
forget all the long words like before,, just come to me..listen as we do,and you alone can let my soul take flight.........then come to me as i finish my song deep where you find me. and have it match your heart.. you alone can always
UmbrellaWatch 1 year ago
silently a hushed whisper i am back again here,comfortable and thankfully my candles remained, slowly gently, they are all lit again. I love you so much and cannot be without you,I know it was wrong what was done in 9 mo,, i asked for forgiveness and i cooed to you,even now, i want you to coo to me.You have done wonderfully in my eyes,yet still within my darkness was not me that acted as you said but the dark of the music is who and why i love you. Can i get you back to the music of my nite..
UmbrellaWatch 1 year ago
I Absolutely Love, Love, Love.... the entire soundtrack...
:)
Enjoyed watching the north American Phantom of the Opera tour with Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine the theater was so... Beautiful and every set for the show was even so much more amazing....
:)
No one can bring every emotion in the lyrics like both Colm and Rebecca did
Only wish both would go back on tour together in a Phantom of the Opera tour
Annie10k 1 year ago
I honestly do not like this Phantom. His voice isn't bad, but I just don't like how choppy he sounds here. It's like he takes a new breath for each syllable.
BatGif 1 year ago
Beautiful, but Have you heard "La fanciulla del West" by G. Puccini? Please listen to the first act, during the duo between Minnie and Dick Johnson, exactly when he is saying " ... ho provato una gioia strana, una nuova pace che ridire non so!" (I felt a strange joy, a new peace that I can't describe). Puccini wrote this in 1910. Anyway, this is a beautiful song, and I love it. Sorry for the mistakes
tommyIglesias 1 year ago
Colm is great but he needs to stick to Les Miserables. His voices and style just isn't phantom. he comes off to me like a phantom about to start a revolution like he did in les miserables. great but not phantom.
musicalphantom2010 1 year ago
@musicalphantom2010 Well that's not his fault. I know it's hard to listen to a singer without considering their background, but if you can do it, you'll appreciate all of Colm's roles better.
Brothergeppetto 1 year ago
Dang. If I get chills from watching the movie, I can't even begin to imagine the splendor that would come from seeing it on Broadway!
melancholyManitee 1 year ago
@melancholyManitee The movie was very close to the stage show. I saw it in NY when Chris Groenendal sp? was playing the Phantom (prior to Robert Gillome sp?)...while not as good as Michael Crawford, still awesome! Starlight Express was an absolutely awesome show as well...saw it in London!
RevD90 1 year ago
@RevD90 the movie was pathetic compare to the broadway show. come on,, very close? the phantom's deformity in the movie only look like he has zits problem. in the play, it's a pretty horrific deformity. it's completely night and day between the two.
musicalphantom2010 1 year ago
@melancholyManitee the talent in the movie is miles away from the incredible talent on the Broadway stage. The Phantom's voice (Tim Martin Gleason) when I saw it was so beautiful that it made me cry.
dreamgirlz96 1 year ago
@dreamgirlz96 agree! The Phantom movie was not a only the biggest joke I've seen but it's also the biggest disappointment. And they have that minny person in it! Why? She's freaking ugly! Don't know how the hell she made it into hollywood. thx matt damon!
musicalphantom2010 1 year ago
>.> I have to play this for freshman year in high school on my clarinet.
blkbltgrl2008 1 year ago
Colm Wilkinsons has a very good voice, he is a good Phantom and alsoa perfect Valjean
kingelder2 1 year ago
i think he needs to watch some dip-thongs like "night" and "way" but other than that amazing job
lenozzedifigarofan15 1 year ago
I'm sorry. I have to say I'm not impressed with Colm at all. I was happy to get to listen to someone besides Michael and Gerard for once, but wow. This guy's voice grates on me. Why does he halt so between each breath? Is it an acquired taste?
lisambofoh 1 year ago
ive never heard a more beautiful voice in my whole life =,)
vikirose95 1 year ago 4
I think Colm and Henk Poort are the best phantom's so far.
fabianhomburg 1 year ago 2
I think I enjoy Colm's Phantom more than any other because he's in that perfect middle between Michael Crawford's Higher Pitched Creepy-Echoing-voice Phantom, and Gerry Butler's Darker-Pitched Rock-Style. Not that any of these styles really appear much on Broadway any more.
MBrilhart 1 year ago 4
totally fell in love with his voice.
claraakane 1 year ago 3
colm... wow.. what a talent... there will never be another singer on the west end with the talent colm wilkinson had at his disposal.. he truly was the maestro..
bigjeffstar 1 year ago
@bigjeffstar don't limit it to the west end, there will never be another singer worldwide that matches him.
sonicridernoah 1 year ago 2
I love Colm Wilkinson in everything he's done. Michael Crawford was who I grew up singing to so my humble opinion gives him the edge, but not by much
Bubbiegolfer 1 year ago 2
OH MY GOSH... wow. :)
FaustianDreams 1 year ago
It's jean valjean, he thinks the world hates hum cus he got locked up for 19 years, so he became the phantom of the opera :P
mageXsessho 1 year ago 25
I wonder who he likes playing more, the Phantom or Jean Valjean ? :)
ledzeppelin104 2 years ago 4
@ledzeppelin104 Valjean, no doubt.
broadwayismyhome 2 years ago 6
I just wish that he would emote as powerfully as John Cudia. Colm has so much more power, and I never understood why he held back like this.
Ezereth 2 years ago
No one has done it better! First or last they will never get him the way Colm did! Bravo!
wmagold 2 years ago 3
His voice although very good dont get me wrong sounds a little too old for the role but overall very well.
dethe8ter 2 years ago
him and crawford are probable 2 of the best voices out there..... i so wish i could of heard them..... i think that rebecca cain was the best cristine (spell?) though
top1terra1girl 2 years ago 2
I just keep imagining Valjean singing this song. . .it's really strange.
blithium 2 years ago 2
This was the first song I ever heard Colm sing and I have to admit, him Michael Ball and Michael Crawford are the main reasons I began to sing
FilmRangers 2 years ago
love it and he was Ramin Karimloo inspiration to start theatre and now Ramin playing the phantom in the sequel of phantom and Colm is one of my favourite phantoms!
RentandWicked 2 years ago
To me, there will only be one Phantom. And that is Colm Wlikenson. He is perfect in this role.
paulbently 2 years ago 6
Colm has a great voice. He's great as the Phantom in this song. However....I first heard Colm as Jean Valjean, so he will forever be JVJ in my mind. He also sounds too old to be the Phantom.
Plus, I've grown up listening to Michael Crawford as the Phantom. He was the one who made me fall in love with the show. He was my Phantom, just like Colm is my Valjean and Philip Quast is my Javert.
MlleImparfait 2 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Crawford sucks.
dragonofblood 2 years ago
You are just Jealous that you cant sing like him
dethe8ter 2 years ago
Makes no sense. Wouldn't I be jealous of people that I actually like? I would much rather be able to sing like Ramin Karimloo than Michael Crawford.
dragonofblood 2 years ago
Well with out Michael Ramin wouldn't of ever sung this because the play would of flopped because most Phantom's they have had since then have been utter failures.
dethe8ter 2 years ago
@dethe8ter I think that your statement applies much more to Les Miserables rather than Phantom
FilmRangers 2 years ago
Which comment?
dethe8ter 2 years ago
to saying that the newer phantoms are failures, I have to admit that I like most of the newer phantoms and i think the performances are still strong but Les Mis... just no one has been able to compare to the orignals
FilmRangers 2 years ago
Well excluding a few most are in my opinion MC,CW,JOJ,TK,PK,JC, and a few others are horrible to me, but that is just me
dethe8ter 2 years ago
yeah thats fair enough really there are some good ones, I cant remember if it was hugh panora or not but one phantom did actually sound like an operatic tenor
FilmRangers 2 years ago
No no the ones listed are the ones I like, thank you for reminding me of Hugh I knew I was missing one. and I am not sure if it was him or Gary Mauer sp
dethe8ter 2 years ago
I think its Hugh but the yall sound a little like opera singers
FilmRangers 2 years ago
yes they do excluding Paul Stanly he was horrible
dethe8ter 2 years ago
Totally agree with it ;)
JoJolineJo 2 years ago
His "beee" is one of the best I've heard! Nice!
You can see that he has trouble with the low notes, but that's ok, since Wilkinson is just flawless with everything else. Great interpretation.
leadoffeohippus 2 years ago
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rowellbeej01 2 years ago
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rowellbeej01 2 years ago
Michael Crawford is the whole package as the Phantom and even though I respect both Michael and Colm as performers Phantom changed tremendously when Michael entered the picture and his the interpretation most people have based there performance on. Plus how can people talk about Michaels acting or passion in the role when they never saw him or watched his live videos. He didn't win a ton of awards for giving a crappy performance. Respect Michael as well as Colm.
colinmcphan 2 years ago 5
There has never been, nor will there ever be, a more perfect Phantom.
rachellebout 2 years ago 61
@rachellebout I would argue that Michael Crawford, being the original and absolutely amazing, would give stiff competition and probably win.
yodamonkey8 9 months ago
i love how he holds that note at then end
fireworks990 2 years ago 7
This comment has received too many negative votes show
...maybe I won't bothering listening, buying or supporting him in anything anymore. By the way I have seen both men live in different shows and read up on them to some degree. Also the man that you just took a cheap shot at, Michael Crawford, just went to visit a bunch of very sick children and there parents at the Sick Childrens Trust in England which he has been president of since 1987. These are kids dieing from cancer that MC reached out to. Sounds to me like MC is a first class guy period!
colinmcphan 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Colm Wilkinson is the poor mans Michael Crawford "neybordayfid". Michael Crawford is the greatest voice of are generation, both technically and emotively. Why do you have to be so nasty and negative towards Michael? what has he done to you? You don't have to like his talent but to say that about any artist is demeaning to them and there fans. The sad thing is I like both guys in different roles and respect them. If Colms fans are going to be such jerks and ugly towards other artist then...
colinmcphan 2 years ago
oh for gods sakes you are the biggest hippocrit on the frigging planet, the only reason your bad mothing colm is because someone said that hes better than Michael, yes they were rude but so are you, you do this all the time and I've tolerated it but now im sick of it either learn to deal with other peoples opinions and follow your own advice about "respecting the artist" or get the hell off of youtube
FilmRangers 2 years ago 3
I agree. Everyone has preferences. Crawford has a great voice there's no doubt but some people prefer Colm's voice as the Phantom and so on. You want to talk about respect "colinmcphan" maybe you should start by showing some yourself.
WWEfano31 2 years ago 2
I like both Michael Crawford & Colm Wilkenson - purchased both versions even.
And yes, sometimes Colm hits notes that just make me think of Les Mis, but... I don't mind one bit :)
lynneelf 2 years ago 39
@lynneelf It's more dialect that make me think Les Mis. But his voice is fucking fantastic.
ANDYtheJANDRO 1 year ago
Why so silent, I can't disagree with you more. Michael is a high pitch tenor, Colm a low one, much more powerful. In my opinion Colm is the best there ever was when it comes to Phantoms. So much passion and emotion in the way he sings. He doesn't focus just on the notes but the acting part of a musical. I hope I make sense, I just think he brings the whole package.
evtzaras1 2 years ago 4
I love Colm, I love Les Mis, but let me say something about Michael. Even though Colm was the original Phantom before Michael, Michael took over the roll and has inspired everybody as the Phantom and made it magical. I think we can reconize that Michael is still the Phantom of the opera, But Colm is still one of the greatest Phantoms of all time.
WhySoSilent2123 2 years ago 8
UMMMMMMMM Michael was the OLC Phantom so there for he was the original phantom ever. Just thought I would tell you
dethe8ter 2 years ago
@dethe8ter well ummm doesn't mean best he was prob 20 when it was casted so he wouldn't look the age.
phantomphan4ever1 2 years ago
Whom are you referring to? Michael was in his late 30s early 40s when he was the Phantom.
dethe8ter 2 years ago
sorry i meant to write 40 nevermnd, he was actually 46 he was born 1942, and John Cudia was better!!( And Gerard Bulter) Remember just an opinion.
phantomphan4ever1 1 year ago
@dethe8ter WRONG. Colm Wilkinson collaborated with Webber at a Sydmonton Workshop and helped him create the Phantom in 1985, a year before Michael was even approached for the role.
matt92091 1 year ago
@matt92091 I know nothing of that so I cannot agree or disagree but in my person opinion Michael was the best Phantom right wrong or indifferent its my opinion
dethe8ter 1 year ago
@dethe8ter Nope. Colm Wilkinson was the Sydmonton Phantom and created the role for the Phantom. Technically, Michael Crawford is the second Phantom.
StephenFryIsAdorable 1 year ago
@StephenFryIsAdorable I sadly saw the vid recently I am so glad he changed lyrics and costumes and actors it was horrible to me and if u want to get that tech Michael was the third it went Colm,Steve, than Michael but over all Michael is the best I have ever heard and nothing is going to change that.
dethe8ter 1 year ago
Wilkinsons voice is very .... there isn't word to describe just how GOOD it is for the phantom. Every time I listen to someone else play the phantom, their voices are way too high compared to his. He IS the phantom!
xxKumikaxx1 2 years ago 6
Michael Crawford is the poor mans Colm Wilkinson.
Colm is the greatest voice of our generation, both technically and emotively.
neybordayfid 2 years ago
I think MC and colm both have good voices. This is so beautiful I wanted to cry!
TheChristianFairy 2 years ago 2
how dare anyone even compare colm and gerard butler. butlers version on the film is like fucking kareoke. the film is the biggest bag of turd i have ever seen, the musical is brilliant!!! actors cannot do this musical!!!!! you have to be musical theatre!!!
RyanWMusic 2 years ago 7
colm wilkisnons voice is so amazing in this song, and all of the phantoms songs.and wilkinson is better than butler. listen to how he controls the notes he sings and how long he can hold them. its awesome
bandoallday 2 years ago
This is a good rendition but nobody will ever compare to Michael Crawford, that man has a gift from God with that voice!
TearsForFearsFan 2 years ago
Okay, so, funny story-
I had the canadian cast of POTO on my ipod for literally 2 years-
And I just recognized like 2 days ago that it's Colm Wilkinson as phantom! I have the 10th Anniversary Les Miserables CD on my ipod as well and it's amazing that I never made the connection! I had to use this to confirm it was him- It is! xD I had a stupid moment.
My mom and dad got the CD for me when they went to see POTO in Toronto ten years ago- I'm jealous they got to see him!
xL4UR3NxX 2 years ago 2
The way he pines, growls and aches. . .I adore Colm as the Phantom!!!!! No one can touch him!
howlsdancer 2 years ago 7
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kevinwayte 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Agreed. Colm was the best recorded Phantom (Canadian Cast Recording)... his deep husky, moany, and romantic style totally sounds like a Phantom...dark, spooky, dungenony, and masculine. And he kicks in the gusty power chest notes exactly where you would expect it. Michael Crawford sounded too contemporary, too thin, too bright. After owning the Canadian CD first, when I bought the UK Cast later, Crawford simply sounded like a "magical wizard" to me.
kevinwayte 2 years ago
You may prefer The Music of The Night performed by " Chyi Yu ". You tube her and listen to her interpretation of this song. I think her rendition is beautiful. Another listener from you tube heard her sing and was stunned.
equator2010 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
He's ok, but I personally like Gerard Butler better <3
PrayersOfAngel 2 years ago
Gerard Butler's got the looks but when it comes to singing, and such a great opera song as Music of the Night, Colm Wilkinson is amazing. Gerard Butler's not bad. He's frikin handsome though :)
mediokermonky 2 years ago 2
olm Wilkinson is a great singer, no doubt about it, but personally, I like Gerard Butler.
I love how I got a thumbs down for saying that I personally like Gerard Butler better. :P
PrayersOfAngel 2 years ago
Wilkinson's Phantom cannot be compared to that of Gerard's Phantom because of the mediums they performed for. Butler didn't sing night after night live on stage for years because he's a film actor. With film, scenes can be done over and over and the audio can be drastically altered.
A live performance of Phantom is 10x more energetic and demanding than a film production's ever could.
(P.S. I'm not a fan of either of their voices, but I have more respect for Wilkinson because of his stamina.)
russ2246 2 years ago 2
I think Gerard Butler is GORGEOUS! And i like his acting in the film, but the film itself does not beat the stage version by far. I Like Colm Wilkinson, but this doesn't do it for me =/ i prefer him as Jean Valjean
kittykat002 2 years ago
He also opened the show on Broadway as Val Jean....and opened Phantom as...Phantom.
Kamotgus 2 years ago
this guy was the original jean valjean in les mis in the west end
benman136 2 years ago
VOICE WAY TO DEEP CRAWFORD IS THE BEST
ziadtheking 2 years ago
I also heard Colm at the Pantages Theater way back when. He does indeed hold notes forever, with seemingly no effort...while dangling precariously from ropes above stage...and his voice in person has so many more dimensions than even this recording captures. I remember being enthralled at the production. Colm is forever my Phantom!
need2befree589 2 years ago 6
I definitely like Colm's voice better than MC's. I just prefer the richer sound, which is how I imagined the Phantom's voice should be. That, and I like the emotion Colm put in this song.
However, they both did an amazing job with this part, judging by their singing alone, which is all I'm able to get my hands on.
MisoSoop 2 years ago 7
he did a great job on this but "the phantom" is MC. in my opinion MC just gives so much more power but i dont want to take away from colm, maybe im just biased :)
network 2 years ago
I've neve seen either them acting the part of phantom, so I can't say if that's true or not, haha. I can only judge them on their singing, and then ultimately which voice I personally prefer.
It's also quite possible I've been ruined by the movie, which was the first phantom related thing I heard. xD
Shame.
MisoSoop 2 years ago 2
Woah, never heard Colm sing this version before.
It's different... I like it =)
mariamqwert 2 years ago
I saw Colm in Toronto - never saw MC - so I am a bit biased. However, I just can't listen to MC. He is a phenomenal singer, but when I listen to his Phantom recordings I hear thin vowels. I absolutely love the darker tones in Colm's voice. Best. Phantom. Ever.
ericmatz 2 years ago 2
Jean Valjean writes the music of the night...? His soft high notes just remind me of bring him home again, but I reckon he kicks crawford's butt. Crawford has to yell to get his high notes; no technique at all, but Colm has so much control, it's amazing.
jc19940 2 years ago
I think both guys have a good voice, but Colm brings the pitiful side of the Phantom into this song. Read the book. This is the predominant emotion the Phantom portrays. I grew up listening to M.C., but Colm is, in my opinion, absolutely amazing. Much better than M.C.
cdciam09 3 years ago 3
However, I think MC does better on songs like Phantom of the Opera and Point of No Return. The Phantom has a cruel side and MC brings that into his music.
cdciam09 2 years ago
I've seen the show with him and it was amazing absolutly stunning !!! I still listen to my soundtrack!! ALL the time! I went to see it at the Phantages Theater Toronto!
drewballs000 3 years ago
At the very end of the song, he holds the note for 23 or 24 seconds. That is incredibly hard to do. I've seen people who've been singing all their lives barely able to hold a note half as long without wavering somewhat. Mr. Wilkinson was supposed to perform in Winnipeg as the Phantom some time ago. Unfortunately, he fell i