Martin Guerre — Page 2

I love this show. I like the orchestrations of the first version (CD) better than the 1999 CD, but I think the 1999 version is darker, tighter, and really draws you in more. With the 1996 version, I think it's like "so what, why would I care for these characters". With the 1999 version, it really does draw me in, and I sympathize with the main characters much more. I always thought a good version would be a mix of the two (CD's that is - I know the complete show was never recorded, in any form). I think this would be good.

ACT I

Prologue (1996)
Working on the Land (1996)

- A Year Later -

The Deluge (1999)
Martin Guerre (1996)

- Seven Years Later

Prologue (1999)
Without You As a Friend (1999)
Death Scene (1999)
God's Anger (1999)
How Many Tears (1999)
Louison (1996)
Welcome Home (1996)
Don't (1999)
Bethlehem (1996)
The Revelation (1999)
The Day Has Come (1999)

ACT II

The Courtroom (1996)
Who (1999)
Martin Guerre (reprise) (1996)
All That I Love (1999)
The Imposter is Here (1999)
The Final Witness (1999)
The Verdict (1999)
Justice Will Be Done (1999)
Why? (1999)
The Killing (1999)
The Land of the Fathers (1996)

Of course, there would be tweeking, but I like this version best.

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I saw the show in London about 8 months into the run. They had just re-written some of the story and cut some numbers, like "Sleeping on our own".

I saw MARTIN GUERRE two days after I saw LES MIS and I actually liked MG better! The show was complicated but I thought it was really wonderful.

The later tour version (which I never saw, have the recording) was a big disappointment! Though they added one brilliant number ("How Many Tears"), I felt all the other changes were not good. The original(?) opening number "Working On The Land" was a magnificent and a powerful - but sadly they changed it. Also I liked the original(?) ending where Bertrand, after having Arnaud's child, the baby and the protestants leave Artigat.

A very good show, which should have made it to Broadway.

I have been listening to both versions like crazy. I think the 1999 recording would have been much more effective and pleasant if it had the symphonic power of the 1996 version. The 1999 version has some ugly sounds in it, but I think the story is better....but like I said above, they should have kept some of the original numbers, like "Working on the Land." Why replace "Welcome Home", which was a great, fun, dance number with "Welcome to the Land" which is not effective IMO.

I always wondered why they never recorded the first version on 2 discs. The show is mostly sung-through, right?

I prefer the 1996 version to both Les Miz and Miss Saigon, and it's a shame we never got a "Complete Symphonic Recording" of the original Martin Guerre. Maybe someday.

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After buying the 1999 version--I still like the 1996 version better. I think the lush orchestrations on the first disc really make the songs sound that much better. I do, however, think that the story is tighter on the 1999 recording and I like some of the additions/changes. My favorite song on the 1996 recording was "All I Know"--I really loved this beautiful duet for Arnaud and Bertrande--especially the symphonic finish. Although "The Day Has Come" may work better in the show, I liked it better as a duet rather than a company number.

One thing I always found interesting about the show is how they make Arnaud a sympathetic character. In the book, he is nothing more than a theif trying to capitalize off of Martin. (BOOK SPOILER) At the end of the trial after Martin returns, Arnaud is found guilty and executed. Obviously, in a musical you want the audience to like/sympathize with the main male character and root for his success--rather than dispise him as a theif. I always enjoy seeing the differences between a book and the show based on it.

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Updated On: 2/28/06 at 04:31 PM