Les Miserables Question

[MusicAndPassion]

Posted: 1/7/07 at 7:33pm

I have a simple question that I hope I can get the answer to.

In the Complete Symphonic Recording of Les Miserables, who plays what parts? Thank you so much! Updated On: 1/7/07 at 07:33 PM

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 1/7/07 at 7:49pm

This is all I could find, from a review on Amazon.

As an Australian cast recording was being developed, the creative team of Les Miserables came up with the bright idea of recording an international album of Les Miserables that contained every single note in the show. That is where this album came from. It is a bit puzzling that the "international" cast only consists of vocalists from Los Angeles, New York, Sydney, London, and Tokyo, but that is just nit picking. This album includes Gary Morris, the Broadway Valjean who replaced Colm Wilkinson. Colm Wilkinson refused to be on this recording because he had already been on both of the Broadway and London casts (it took some convincing to get him to reprise his role at Albert hall some years later). Gary Morris's interpretation is very similar to that of Wilkinson, although Morris sounds quite a bit younger, has a country drawl, and has a lot more vibrato. His interpretation is often critisized, but I think it is good to have someone besides Colm to listen to. Perhaps another singer is preferred for some people, but I'm not going to get into that debate.

The Aussies on the album include Philip Quas, whot sings the part of Javert (he was later recorded on the Manchester highlights CD in 1992 and reprised his role at the tenth anniversary concert), Debbie Byrne as the wretchedly unfortunate Fantine, and Anthony Warlowe, the student leader. All three do well in their parts. Philip Quast, in my opinion, is the best singer on the CD and is the only one who makes you think "That's Javert!" You forget it is Philip singing and you think you are actually listening to Javert singing. I think he really shines.

The London members of the cast include Michael Ball from the original London cast album as Marius, Gay Soper as Madame Thenardier, and Barry James as Thenardier. All of the mentioned singers do a terrific job. I especially like Barry James's interpretation of Thenardier. Many people can pull off the comic side of Thenardier but not his darker side. With James you KNOW Thenardier is not a nice man. Gay Soper can get a bit annoying, but that's probably because there is no visual. Michael Ball does a great job as Marius, though he does tend to wobble sometimes. Tracy Shayne is from New York, and she is a pretty good Cosette. She isn't my favorite because she has a very high pitched voice. Some people like that, but I prefer a deeper voice.

Kaho Shimada is the only singer from Tokyo, but she is very good. Try getting the Japanese red or blue cast to hear her in her original language.

One problem with this CD set is the lack of chemistry between characters. Since none of the characters were in the same studio (or even the same country!) when this was recorded, it just sounds like the singers are singing. There is not much emotion except from the leads. Also, getting Valjeans and Javerts to play parts of the students and small parts does not create a good effect. The voices of the students do not sound right, and this is especially evident in "Do You Hear the People Sing?" which in my opinion is the worst recording of this particular song.

I think that a newer complete recording should be made, like the Czechs and the Japanese have done. There have been cuts and additions to the show since this has been made, so it would be interesting to have a new complete recording with the updates.

Also, a good companion to this recording is the video "Stage by Stage" since it is basically an advertisement for this CD. It has a lot of intersting info and clips!

[Dibbledl01]

Posted: 1/7/07 at 9:03pm

Jean Valjean-Garry Morris-New York
Javert-Philip Quast-Sydney
The Bishop of Digne-Ken Caswell-London
Fantine-Debbie Byrne-Sydney
Fauchelevent-Bruce Winant-L.A.
Young Cosette-Marissa Dunlop-London
Thenardier-Barry James-London
Mde. Thenardier-Gay Soper-London
Eponine-Kaho Shimada-Tokyo
Marius-Michael Ball-London
Cosette-Tracy Shayne-New York
Enjolras-Anthony Warlowe-Sydney
Grantaire-Kenny D'Aquila-L.A.

these are only the key characters

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 12:46am

Link goes to a now-abandoned Anthony Warlow site (at the time, a really great resource) with a list of all the CSR performers. I used tinyurl because the link is a long archive.org one.

http://tinyurl.com/yhun76

[Min2]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 9:56am

Thanks for the link of Anthony's site!