Phantom of the Opera

[cinemediapromo]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 6:45pm

From http://www.iclassics.com/featureArticle?contentId=3253



Phantom of the Opera Revisited

With cinema audiences thrilling anew to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s magnificent melodies, we took some time to revisit the Original Cast Recording of one of Broadway (and the world’s) greatest hits, The Phantom of the Opera.

It’s a funny thing about favorite CDs of favorite scores. When they are first issued we run to the shop and the CD (or LP in this case) never seems to leave the player. And so it was with The Phantom of the Opera. We dug grooves into the grooves of our first copy with repeated playings. We knew all the drama and humor of the spectacle, a theatrical spectacle we always suspected that actually served the music (not vice versa). We played all the parts in our dorm room/living room/car stereo without regard to sex or age appropriateness.

And then, following that initial madness, when we knew every line, every note by heart (you know a score is imbedded in your mind when hearing the end of one song automatically triggers the beginning notes of the next cut) we went on to other musical conquests. Once in a while, in a fit of nostalgia we would put the needle down (put the laser down?) on Phantom and all the memories of where we were in our lives both physically and physically came rushing back. We were able to relive those initial pleasures of a moving, heartfelt score.

Still, we must admit that it’s been a few years now. The recent release of the film version has sent us back to The Phantom of the Opera (now on a beautifully remastered CD) to try to recollect what all the commotion was about. The show, of course, is still going strong on Broadway, in London and throughout the world. But for us, Phantom lives through our speakers not on a stage. We imagined the sets and costumes and lighting long before we ever saw the show – so redolent and specific is the score.

We are happy to report that this renewed listening has in no way diminished our enthusiasm. In fact, we have the feeling of revisiting an old, dear friend with whom we’ve been out of touch for along time. The score has lost none of its ability to move or surprise and we were slightly surprised that we remembered every single lyric. Note to Cameron Mackintosh: Should you need an instantaneous replacement for the Broadway cast we already know all the parts! Perhaps our memories should be reserved for more important facts and figures (at least that’s what we were told in school). But we reject that notion. What better things to remember than the sweep of violins, the unrequited yearnings, the magisterial pomp and theatricality. It’s why we love theater and why it means so much to our lives.

So, if you haven’t done so recently, take this opportunity to revisit one of the greatest scores in theatrical history. Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman and Rosemary Ashe were all at their career peaks in Phantom and this recording captures all their theatrical glory. There’s a reason it’s been playing just shy of two decades to millions of entranced theatergoers. Decca Broadway’s remastered CD reveals hidden glories and lends a freshness to Phantom that is, well, refreshing.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 6:50pm

Hey, I did that when I found out that the movie was going to be released and it was like visiting an old friend. It was the first Cast Recording I ever bought and got me hooked on musical theatre.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 6:52pm

But don't do it while driving. You don't want to fall asleep and have an accident...

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 6:54pm

Watch it, now!!!!

[Joshua488]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 7:53pm

When I saw THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Broadway a few weeks ago, I couldn't help myself, so I bought the special two-disc remastered original cast recording. It has a lot of dialogue and music not included on the original TAPE that my parents purchased when they first saw the show when it opened.

Also, the two-disc set contains a booklet that has the entire libretto of the show.

More than worth the $50.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 8:01pm

$50???????? You paid that much for it? Wow!!!! You could have gone to Best Buy and got it for a little over $30.

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 9:18pm

For Real !!!!!!!!!!!
I bought it for $27.