Michael Ball as The Phantom of The Opera?

He was Raoul I think, so I don't see why not.

yeah, he could do a good job. He's a far better singer than Michael Crawford.
If i remember correctly, he sang music of the night on one of his albums, and did a pretty good job.

He sings Phantom of the Opera, in this version, with Marie Zamora ( Alain Boublil's wife) from her "comedies musicales/ musiques de films" album, released in France. He has also sang it with one of the UK's most popular sopranos, Lesley Garrett ( with whom he has sang a number of songs from musical theatre, films and even light opera, songs from The Magic Flute). Michael has likewise sung the song solo, featured in his CENTRE STAGE album.

It seems he may be moving on to more senior roles now - he was the second Raoul in London and is usually identified with the song ALL I ASK OF YOU - and had heard a few years ago that he was offered the role of the Phantom at the West End. Recently, he had sung the role of Jean Valjean in a special Windsor Castle concert - a departure from his original role of Marius in Les Miserables. Now, he has taken on a character role in WOMAN IN WHITE, while Michael Crawford is on medical leave. The voice continues to be brilliant and as Andrew Lloyd Webber recently commented on his Count Fosco role : "You completely command the role...so musically well".

Updated On: 3/4/05 at 06:22 AM

Those few singing lessons he took in order to do Valjean properly have apparently done some remarkably good things to regular vocalizations. Stronger, longer, and even more clear. Frankly I think he could probably sing any of the current roles very well.

That recording with Zamora is somewhat hard on the ears. As I recall, they originally told Michael that they wanted him to record some demos and then they ended up putting his vocals on the album. I'm sure he was given a pretty penny for it, but I think he was somewhat embarrassed over the situation.
I don't particularly enjoy the song as it is on the album Centre Stage, mostly because Lesley Garrett sounds terrible, but I thoroughly enjoyed the song live in Salt Lake City.
He isn't the most subtle vocalist and I think this role requires that, but who knows...maybe he could pull it off.

Sorry, I think I confused MUSIC OF THE NIGHT with PHANTOM OF THE OPERA as the solo number on his CENTRE STAGE album.

Re the Marie Zamora songs - I do love the LIVE WITH SOMEBODY Y0U LIVE duet from MARTIN GUERRE.

And what about Michael's sinister laugh before he sings the Phamtom of the Opera duet with Marie ?

I love that sinister laugh...he's got something on his mind..and I don't think it's SINGING to Christine...I've never heard anyone else have that sexual quality during that song.

Michael Ball sounds good.

But whoever is singing Christine Daaé's part is awful. She should NOT be singing that song.

this really is one of the timeless questions. thanks for the info on the Zamora recording, I was wondering who was responsible for that. I like how that clip sparked conversation, so...


If You're Undecided About Ball

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*looks at link: awpoto1.ram*

Is that who I think it is, Matt? Cause then I totally agree with how you labelled your link. (can't listen to it right now)

Updated On: 3/5/05 at 01:44 AM

aw's interpretation was quite nice, but the slight liberties he took with the melody and rhythm irritated me. and mb's interpretations was very poppy- that said, ive always been a fan of the more legit musical theatre/almost classical phantoms- the recently departed london phantom, john owen-jones is a perfect case in point, the right mix between musical theatre and classical, a beautiful voice and a wonderful portrayal acting wise.

incidentally he'll be valjean in london from the end of june.

Warlow's interpretation on that clip is irrelevant because it was taken from a concert medley that he did with two other singers. He sang it that way just to show off his voice, not because he needed to be in character for the purpose of a show. I have a clip of AW in the actual Oz production of POTO and he sings it absolutely nothing like that. That clip shows off his voice but should be stricken from the record if anyone's judging his Phantom on that.